The series includes supermarket floral, with H-E-B Florals helping show the skills involved in floral retail.
Seed Your Future has announced Careers in Bloom, a new digital series introducing students and career explorers to 10 jobs that bring flowers from farms to consumers.
Announced Nov. 4, the series is scheduled to debut this fall. It follows floral products through growing, transportation, wholesale distribution, manufacturing, retail, design, education, services and research.
“Careers In Bloom is our commitment to making sure students see themselves in all of it,” said Jazmin Albarran, executive director of Seed Your Future.
Ten careers behind every bouquet
The series features floral grower Brent Roozen of Roozen Gaarde Tulips; logistics professional Stephen Armellini of Armellini Logistics; wholesaler Michael Black of Jet Fresh Flowers; hardgoods supplier Laura Walsh of Smithers-Oasis; and retail florist Christine Guenther of WildFlower | stem + sundry.
Also featured are floral designer Kelsey Thompson; educator Shanda Zelaya of Flor de Casa Designs; service suppliers EllieJo and Vonda LaFever of Flower Clique; April Dominguez of H-E-B Florals in supermarket floral; and researcher Melinda Knuth of North Carolina State University.
Dominguez said the project allowed her to share how floriculture had created opportunities for learning and leadership. Zelaya said participating affirmed her career choice and could encourage students to think beyond traditional jobs.
Industry partners support career awareness
Four founding sponsors pledged a total of $34,095: the American Floral Endowment and American Floral Alliance each contributed $10,000; Bloom Event provided $9,095; and the AIFD Foundation committed $5,000.
American Floral Alliance President Lane DeVries hopes students discover unexpected career possibilities. One reaction he wants to hear: “I never knew I could build a career doing that.”
Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists, said showing people working in different roles can help turn students’ curiosity into an interest in floral careers.
Seed Your Future promotes careers in the art, science, technology and business of horticulture. The initiative is designed to broaden awareness of the skills and professions needed throughout the flower supply chain.
Read the original announcement from American Floral Alliance and learn more at Seed Your Future.
The SuperFloral Team brings you news, trends and practical ideas for supermarket and mass-market floral professionals. Our editors gather and curate the stories that matter most to floral teams in grocery and retail, from industry news and events to merchandising inspiration and business advice. Have a story idea or news tip? Write to us at editorial@superfloral.com.
