Seed Your Future's 2025 Seed to STEM cohort will bring horticulture into classrooms

Seed Your Future has announced the 30 finalists selected for the 2025 Seed to STEM cohort, a group of high school educators across the U.S. who will bring horticulture into their classrooms.

The selected finalists teach a diverse range of subjects, including math, art, business, technology and English. This year's cohort represents 15 states and Washington, D.C.

“Our 2025 cohort includes teachers who are storytellers, problem solvers and visual thinkers — and that’s exactly who we need to inspire the next generation of green industry professionals,” said Jazmin Albarran, executive director of Seed Your Future.

Each finalist demonstrates how horticulture can enrich learning in every classroom.

“Expanding Seed to STEM beyond science education was a critical step in making plant-based learning relevant, creative and accessible to more students,” Albarran added.

The Seed to STEM experience will include site visits to leading horticulture organizations, offering educators real-world exposure to plant-based careers and innovations.

Participants will visit:

• Chicago Dogs Stadium, June 11: In thi behind-the-scenes tour of the Chicago Dogs baseball stadium, the cohort will meet with the horticulture and grounds crew team to gain firsthand insight into the science and strategy behind turf management, including field preparation, pest management, irrigation systems and sustainable turf care practices.
• Ball Horticultural Company, June 12:­ The cohort will explore advancements in plant breeding, biotechnology and sustainable production methods. The tour will include interactive sessions with plant breeders, greenhouse tours showcasing trial gardens and insights into how Ball brings new plant varieties from concept to commercial release.
• Midwest Groundcovers and Midwest Trading, June 13: The cohort will explore large-scale plant production, sustainable propagation practices and nursery logistics at Midwest Groundcovers before heading to Midwest Trading, where the teachers will dive into the complexities of soil media development, composting and how engineered soil products support landscape success.
• Kennicott Brothers, June 13: The cohort will discover the logistics behind sourcing, storing and distributing fresh-cut flowers and floral supplies. Teachers will engage in a hands-on floral design workshop, creating their own centerpieces that will be showcased at the evening gala.
• Green & Growing Gala, June 13: The gala highlights the collective impact of the week’s experiences and honors the educators inspiring the next generation of green professionals.
• Lunch & Learn, June 14: This event features professionals from diverse areas of the industry, including:

• Academia and research: Illinois State University, Horticulture Department
• Arboriculture: The Morton Arboretum
• Horticultural therapy: The American Horticultural Therapy Association
• Plant protection: Corteva Agriscience
• Public horticulture: Chicago Botanic Garden

Each teacher will receive classroom resources, networking opportunities and mentorship from green industry leaders to help bring their new knowledge directly into student learning.

To learn more about the Seed to STEM program and download the full list of 2024 science lessons, visit Career Exploration Lessons - Seed Your Future.