October 26, 2022 • 37 mins
Seed Your Future’s mission is to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. In this episode of Plants, People, Science, Sam and Lara interview Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future, to discuss the movement, its progress with attracting students to plant science careers in the years since Seed Your Future’s start in 2013, and the plan of action going forward.
For more information on Seed Your Future check out their website at https://www.seedyourfuture.org/.
To contact Seed Your Future about mentoring or networking opportunities email info@seedyourfuture.org.
To connect with Jazmin Albarran email her at jalbarran@SeedYourFuture.org.
Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.
Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!
You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion.
Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com.
On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/.
Thank you for listening!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sam Humphrey (00:11):
Welcome.
This is Plants, people Science,where we talk about all things
horticulture.
Lara Brindisi (00:16):
I'm Sam Humphrey and I'm Lara Brindisi.
How's your week, Sam?
A lot's happened this week.
Sam Humphrey (00:22):
Yesterday I got up at 3am and I spent all day with
my wonderful coworkers plantingmy strawberries, and I was very
worried about them last night,but I checked on them today and
they are looking perky and notwilted at all, so I am very
happy with that.
How about?
Lara Brindisi (00:40):
you?
Oh, I've been very busy packing.
I have a big trip coming up.
I am going to a few differentcountries actually, so hopefully
I'll be able to continuerecording this podcast.
But if our guests don't hearfrom me in the next episode or
so, it's because I won't havethat good of internet access.
(01:04):
But I'll be doing my best.
Sam Humphrey (01:06):
You can't leave them on that cliffhanger here.
What countries are you thinkingof going to?
Lara Brindisi (01:11):
I'm going to be going to the Federated States of
Micronesia actually in Pompeiiand then I'll be going to Taiwan
for an internship.
So I'm very, very excited aboutthat.
Sam Humphrey (01:22):
All right, hold on .
This sounds like so much fun,but how does this have to do
with plants?
Lara Brindisi (01:27):
Yeah, oh, true, good question.
Back to plants, people andscience.
It's actually all three of them.
So what we're doing is abaseline survey for food
security as it relates toclimate change.
So a lot of the work that I dois really based in food, and so
we're just kind of collectingthat baseline survey to get the
(01:50):
information for a future project.
And then in Taiwan I'm going tobe doing an internship at the
World Vegetable Center.
But back to your plans.
Why did you have to wake up at3 am for a harvest?
That's rough, and I think it'snot something that people
normally think of plantscientists as having to do
sometimes.
Sam Humphrey (02:11):
I think that I find it a lot easier to work
alone sometimes, because whenI'm organizing other people and
and trying to lead a group inperson, sometimes it can be
really difficult to get everyoneto come in on the right time
and keep everyone busy.
I feel like I put a lot ofpressure on myself, feeling like
(02:35):
I don't want people to have tosit around for 10 minutes as
they wait for one step to finishand another step to start, and
so sometimes going and beingalone and taking the initial
data before we plant it's beenreally helpful for me, so I just
got up early to take data.
(02:57):
It was nice, though.
I really enjoy going out therein the morning.
I'm collecting my plants fromthe greenhouse, and so it's dark
and it's cool and it's thislike greenhouse full of
strawberry plants and we havesupplemental lighting, so it's
like a pretty purple in thereand it's very nice like calming
(03:20):
vibe and like the world is quietbecause it's 3am, so just very
enjoyable overall.
Lara Brindisi (03:27):
Yeah, and at least it paid off right, Like
your plants came out, like theywere in pretty good shape, and I
know what you mean with thesupplemental lighting.
And in my greenhouse at theuniversity they have the high
pressure sodium light, so it'sthat orange yellow glow and then
when it's raining it looksreally cool.
Hopefully, you know, we havesome greenhouse enthusiasts that
know what we're talking aboutout there.
(03:48):
Today we will be taking alittle break from our normal
routine of interviewingscientists who have published in
the ASHS journals, and insteadwe will be interviewing Jasmine
Albaron, who is the executivedirector of Seed your Future.
For those of you who don't know, Seed your Future is a national
movement that actually startedthrough the American Society of
(04:09):
Horticultural Science in concertwith Longwood Gardens, and the
aim of the organization is tomake more young people aware
that horticulture is a vital,viable and exciting career path.
Sam Humphrey (04:23):
A little background about our guest.
Before she came to see yourFuture, Jasmine worked in mental
health and youth development,so she's really passionate, and
you can tell when we talk to hershe's really passionate about
helping students find theirpurpose.
She also earned her bachelor'sin psychology at Baylor
University in Waco and right nowshe's getting an MBA, and she
told us at the end of thepodcast that by the time this
(04:47):
episode comes out, she'llactually have taken her last
class for her bachelor, for hermaster's degree.
We're very proud of her forfinishing that.
So let's get started.
Lara Brindisi (05:02):
Okay, welcome.
So today we have a very specialguest, jasmine, would you like
to introduce yourself?
Jazmin Albarran (05:09):
Hi everyone.
My name is Jasmine Albron.
I'm the Executive Director ofSeed your Future and I've been
here now a little bit over ayear.
Lara Brindisi (05:17):
Can you tell us a little bit more about the Seed
your Future and how it began?
Jazmin Albarran (05:21):
Yeah, so in 2013, during, actually, an ASHS
conference, john Doe, mary Meyer, doug Needleman were discussing
the industry, labor shortagesand the decline of enrollment in
plant science degrees and theysaid we can either keep talking
about it or do something.
So they took their idea to MikeNeff, which was still very
(05:44):
basic, and they were trying tounderstand what this would
actually become.
And after further discussionswith Mike, he brought in
Longwood Gardens into theconversation to determine what
would be the first steps forthis entity, for this movement.
Longwood Gardens brought inBall into the work and then it
(06:05):
just kind of snowballed fromthere and they decided as
academia that one of the firstthings they needed to do was
conduct research to reallyunderstand what are the needs of
the industry.
And there were three phases ofresearch.
The first phase was to talk toindustry and understand well,
what do they need from thisentity, this organization or
(06:26):
this movement?
The second was talking to thepublic.
So there was a telephone surveythat was done across the
country to understand well, whatdo people know about
horticulture?
Do they even know what thatword means?
What are their perceptions ofthe industry?
And then the third phase, andwe did focus groups with
children so similar tounderstand from them.
(06:47):
What do they know about plans,what do they know about career
plans and how do they want tolearn about that, so that
research can be found on ourwebsite?
And at that point, it stillwasn't called Seed your Future
and was solely led by volunteers.
The first executive directorwas Susan Yoder, and she was
hired in 2016.
So Seed your Future and myselfare here today because of the
(07:10):
initiative taken by them, andthey are our founders.
Sam Humphrey (07:14):
That's so cool that this actually came from
discussions from the ASHS annualconference.
How did you get involved withSeed your Future?
When did you come into thepicture picture and how did you
find it?
Jazmin Albarran (07:26):
So by accident I've heard many people that say
that and maybe not trulyaccident I had no idea this
world existed but my predecessor, susan Yoder, invited me to
interview for the position.
She knew me from my firstposition and she knew that.
I knew you know outreach andstrategic thinking and youth
(07:48):
development and workforcedevelopment, but I knew nothing
about plants.
So when she suggested I applyfor this, I was like, are you
sure you want me to do this?
I'm a plant killer.
I kill every little plant thatI try my hardest, but it just
does not work.
Every little plant that I trymy hardest but it just does not
work.
And she said listen, theindustry will teach you about
(08:12):
plants.
You have that business acumenthat this position needs to
truly grow and to understand theneeds and how to relate and
connect with youth that we aretrying to reach and teachers
that we're trying to reach.
So I think that speaks to thepower of networking.
She relooked in her network andsee who might be a good fit.
So you know, I think thatspeaks to the power of
networking.
Right, she relooked in hernetwork and see who might be a
good fit.
So that's why I alwaysencourage students to, no matter
where they are.
(08:32):
Work their hardest, go aboveand beyond network and stay in
contact with people in yourcircle, and don't be afraid to
reach out to professors and topeople in the industry that one
day might remember you and askyou to consider applying for a
position.
Lara Brindisi (08:50):
Yeah, networking is always the golden word, if
you will right.
So what can students do tonetwork, whether through Seed,
your Future or through any othermeans?
Jazmin Albarran (09:02):
Yeah, well, I think one.
You know LinkedIn is such apowerful tool.
Go on LinkedIn and find onecompanies you're interested in
working in.
You can email their HR directlyand say, hey, I'd love to set
up an informational interview.
Or you can even reach out tosee your feature and say, hey, I
would like to meet someone at Xcompany.
(09:24):
Do you know anyone there?
And if we do or don't, we'lltry to find somebody, because we
know it can be intimidating.
We know it's a lot of extrawork trying to find those
connections.
So any way that Seed yourFuture can support students in
finding their passion and thatpotential future employer, we'd
love to help.
Sam Humphrey (09:42):
That's wonderful advice.
I remember being a youngerstudent I'm in my master's right
now and I feel like I havebuilt up my portfolio a little
bit but I remember being astudent that at one point I
didn't have much on there and Ididn't know how to start and I
was building up my experiences.
(10:04):
But would you give so forstudents like that, would you
give different advice?
Would you say those studentsshould still reach out, or what
are your thoughts there?
Jazmin Albarran (10:15):
Oh yeah, absolutely.
It doesn't matter what ageyou're in, right, it just the
knowledge.
Your questions are going to bedifferent based on where you are
.
So, yeah, always, always reachout, because you just again,
those connections and thoseintroductions go a very long way
, so they shouldn't feeldiscouraged.
No, not at all, not at all.
Lara Brindisi (10:35):
Is that for any age, students like high school,
middle school, college, whoshould be reaching out to Seed
your Future?
Jazmin Albarran (10:42):
Any student.
I've had high school studentsreach out and say hey, I'm
working on this science project.
I need a specialist in X, y andZ.
Can you find us someone?
And I will send out an email toour volunteers and our network
and say, hey, this student wouldlike to talk to a professional
in botany and drones and ag,whatever that might be, and they
(11:03):
will help us find someone andthen make that connection so the
student can interview theprofessional.
Lara Brindisi (11:09):
Great.
So then I'm hearing that notonly students should reach out
to you, but also potentialmentors or industry or anyone
with a potential opportunity forthose students as well.
Jazmin Albarran (11:20):
Oh, absolutely Absolutely, Because the more
that we know, the more that wecan help facilitate some of
those connections.
And if someone is willing to be, you know, even just give, give
some of their time to helpprovide guidance or direction to
someone else, regardless oftheir age or their grade level,
we definitely appreciate thatsupport that support.
Sam Humphrey (12:06):
That sounds like a fantastic opportunity for so
many different people.
I mean, I imagine myself as agraduate student.
I'm interested in mentoringyounger students, and faculty
who are much, much older arevery passionate too.
I see the full spectrum of thecommunity being interested in
this sort of thing.
So how should these interestedpeople reach out to you?
Jazmin Albarran (12:25):
They just need to email me directly and say hey
, I heard that you either wantto connect or be a part of that
connector and we'll just haveconversations.
I'll get to know that personbased on their need, like are
they wanting to help in thementoring side, what do they
know, what are their specialties, what do they really enjoy
talking about, and if it'ssomeone that needs help saying
(12:51):
you know where do you need thesupport, and then I can just
help facilitate connectionsbased that way.
Lara Brindisi (12:54):
Cool, and we will share that email in the show
notes and at the end.
But that also reminds me.
So when I was a student, I feltlike I did email a lot of
people and I was reallystruggling to figure out what I
wanted to do.
I don't know, I probablyswitched my major a hundred
times.
I didn't grow up always knowingthat I wanted to work with
(13:14):
plants.
I kind of came into that laterand, jasmine, we've talked about
this a bunch Something that wehad talked about before is
professors being more of anadvocate or teachers being more
of an advocate for students,really kind of bringing those
ideas to attention.
So what can educators do toreally show students
(13:36):
horticulture is a viable careerpath?
Jazmin Albarran (13:40):
Right, thank you, and that's a really great
question because professors seehundreds of students a semester,
right?
So if those professors knowabout our career profile page,
we have over 100 plus differentcareers within the industry.
If a professor sent that linkout to their students twice each
(14:02):
semester so that they are awareand they're starting to look at
well, what are the differentcareer paths I might be
interested in, will be soimpactful.
Right, like you said, for thosestudents to know what are the
diverse things and opportunitiesthat I can do in the industry.
But it's all knowledge, right?
If you don't know it's there,you're not even going to be
thinking about it.
So professors can definitelyhelp in reaching students and
(14:26):
getting them to our website tolearn about the different career
opportunities available to them.
Sam Humphrey (14:33):
That's so valuable too, because I imagine, like an
introductory horticulture classand the professor says here's
this link, or maybe even just anormal agriculture class that's
not specific to horticulture, ora biology class, they could
still point people in thisdirection.
Or maybe academic advisors Idon't know who are the types of
(14:54):
people you think are mostvaluable for pushing this
information.
Jazmin Albarran (14:58):
Yeah, I think it's all of the above.
I think it's professors, Ithink it's academic advisors, I
think it's anyone in careerdevelopment right, the more
people that are aware of allthese resources.
When a student says you know, Ilike technology, I like
psychology, well, you can findthose functions within
horticulture.
There's horticulture therapy.
(15:20):
How many students have no ideathat they can do that, that they
can help heal someone throughnature, through plants?
That's an incredible careerthat I know many students would
love to do, but they just don'tknow it exists.
Lara Brindisi (15:35):
Yeah, I remember being really interested in
psychology since a very youngage and then kind of switching
to science later.
But then I didn't find outabout horticultural therapy
until I don't know, like my lastsemester of college share the
(16:00):
link as well in the show notesof where people could find the
career page.
But I guess that takes us intoour next segment of where you
plan to go in the future withSeed your Future.
Jazmin Albarran (16:09):
So one thing that we are really trying to
focus now is empowering theindustry.
You know, the last few years wefocused on creating materials
for teachers to share withstudents, professors to share
with students and in my firstyear here at Teacher Future, a
lot of industry professionalshave said I want to connect with
(16:30):
students or I want to do more,but I don't know how.
I don't know where to getstarted.
It's very overwhelming.
There might be one persondedicated to that work.
So that led me and several ofour volunteers to create Green
Career Week, which is reallygiving industry a meeting in a
box so they can determine, basedon their capacity, how they
(16:54):
connect to students in theircommunity.
Right, we want to teachindustry to build their own
internal pipeline of futureemployees, and that's by the
community knowing about yourcompany and positions that you
have.
Sam Humphrey (17:08):
That's fantastic.
I really love that.
You mentioned that more andmore of these industry members
are coming out and saying thatthey want to make education and
make outreach a bigger part oftheir role, and so it sounds
like there are a lot of peoplethat are interested.
(17:30):
And you're doing such good workand you're trying your hardest,
but I wonder what sorts ofchallenges you face in this.
Jazmin Albarran (17:38):
Well, even with Green Career Week, it's hard
for people to figure out.
Can I really do this?
So helping people understand,listen, take it one bite at a
time, Do what you can.
You don't have to do everythingat one time.
So with Green Career Week, weset it up as you can either set
a field trip, so invitingschools to your site.
(17:59):
You can go to the school orjust participate on social media
.
Right, it's trying to figureout how do you not make it
overwhelming for the industry toparticipate, to get involved
and to take those first babysteps into figuring out how to
make this work for themselves.
Sam Humphrey (18:22):
That's a really low bar too.
It sounds very accessible thatyou also allow for that social
media component.
Jazmin Albarran (18:30):
Right, because that's one thing everyone can do
.
You can make a post, you cansend out a tweet.
Right, it is still timeconsuming to put it together and
find the images, but relativeto the other two options, it's
one that anyone literally couldbe able to participate and still
feel part that you are addingyour voice to our mission, to
(18:51):
Green Career Week and to, mostimportant, educating students
about the different careersopportunities in the industry.
Lara Brindisi (19:00):
Let's say I'm a student.
I hear this episode, I go onthe career page and I say, wow,
this looks incrediblyinteresting to me.
And then I go home to myparents and they tell me you
know, our ancestors were farmers.
You're not farming or there'sno money in this or plants.
What are you possibly going todo with that?
(19:22):
What do those students say backto their parents?
Jazmin Albarran (19:27):
Which is a question that we get all the
time and that we hear studentsget all the time as well, and
professors.
So they've had to sit down withparents and help the parent
understand that all thoseperceptions are not real.
For one, the level ofsatisfaction in this industry
does not compare to others.
(19:48):
I have not met a nicer andhappier supportive group of
people in my entire career likeI have in this industry.
And think about it.
You're working with thesebeautiful products, these
beautiful plants, you're feedingpeople.
That is a different level ofsatisfaction that you get.
So that's one thing that I tellprofessors and students.
(20:10):
Talk about that careerfulfillment that you'll have.
Two, stress the diversity.
People think that horticultureand agriculture is just the
farmer in overalls, thelandscaper and the person
cutting the grass All veryimportant careers, but they
don't even realize the amount oftechnology that there already
(20:31):
is in ag or sustainability andyou can be in horticulture but
an admin in graphic design andHR right.
There's so many things that youcan do.
So it takes education of theparent as well for them to
understand this is aprofessional industry.
There is career growth and youcan make money.
Sam Humphrey (20:52):
Are there any other big misconceptions that
you've seen within students orwithin parents?
In this, anything you reallywant to mention that people need
to keep in mind?
Jazmin Albarran (21:03):
I think those are the biggest ones.
People think that you can'tgrow professionally Once you
come into a position you'restuck there, or that the company
itself isn't big enough.
People don't realize how big agand horticulture really is,
especially that it'sinternational.
Everyone thinks that it's just.
I don't think that publicrealizes how Well actually I
(21:26):
know the public doesn't realizehow complex this industry is.
They don't realize how big thesupply chain is.
When someone looks at a plantthey just see the plant and
don't think twice about where itcame from.
Who was the breeder, how longdid it take to breed the plant?
(21:48):
Then you go to trials, theneventually you go to the
showroom.
That's years in the making andI feel like if the public knew
that, there would be a lot morerespect for this industry.
Because people just see thatplant and again don't realize
how it got there.
And you have to think about theinputs, the container, the
(22:08):
transportation.
There are so many componentsthat if one of those isn't in
place that plant is not gettingto that final destination.
Lara Brindisi (22:16):
Right.
So in terms of knowledge aboutthe industry or respect for the
industry, do you think there's adifference between different
communities that we might seeacross America?
Jazmin Albarran (22:27):
I think people, especially now coming through
the pandemic, have a betterunderstanding of that emotional,
physical impact to one's healththrough plants and nature.
So I think that's there, butthere still isn't that complete
understanding of how complexthis industry is because no one
(22:50):
really knows, unless you'reworking in the industry.
You don't know how long it'staking to grow them, how long
it's taking to get it to thestore or to you know the plant
shop.
So I think those in theindustry know and then maybe
like the their outer layers,that might have an idea.
(23:12):
But across the country, thepublic themselves, they don't
know how complex this industryis.
Lara Brindisi (23:21):
Right.
So what do you think can bedone to promote horticulture in
diverse communities or thecommunities that are less
exposed to some of theseconcepts?
Jazmin Albarran (23:31):
So I think it takes all of us right to finding
those communities and findingthose organizations that are
already partnering in thosecommunities, especially ones
that are think of the ones thatare focused in science or the
outdoors or in nature.
They're already connecting thatcommunity to a part of what
(23:55):
we're doing and working withthem.
To now say well, you don't haveto just enjoy the outdoors, you
can work in the outdoors.
And that's a messaging that I'malso wanting to work on for
these coming years is that I'veheard everyone saying be
outdoors, enjoy nature.
But it stops there.
Even in our industry we're notsaying and you can work with
(24:19):
nature, and you can work withplants and flowers.
So I'm trying to push everyoneto add that sentence to their
outreach, to theircommunications with the
community, because most peopledon't realize you can have a
wonderful career working withplants and flowers.
Sam Humphrey (24:39):
That's wonderful.
And just a last question ondiversity how has Seed your
Future focused its efforts in away that promotes the diversity
of the students or the peoplethat Seed your Future is
targeting?
Jazmin Albarran (24:56):
here, taking me some time to figure out, and I
thought it was going to beeasier than what it is.
It wasn't long within when Igot here when I realized this is
not a very diverse industry.
I mean myself, being a personof color, I know people of color
love plants and people ofdiverse backgrounds love plants.
(25:18):
But again, if you don't seeyourself in the space, you're
not going to come.
So I have struggled to findpeople of different backgrounds,
of different ethnicities tostart off as volunteers, because
I can't go into a community ifI don't have representation
Right.
So I have to start by buildingmy own team that I can then work
(25:43):
with and train and figure outhow we can go into those
communities and really be thevoice.
So I'm still in step one.
I am still trying to findvolunteers to help me with that
messaging and hopefullyeventually be able to get out
and show how diverse thesecareers are and how they can be
a part of this and then reallymaking our industry diverse in
(26:03):
many ways.
Lara Brindisi (26:05):
Yeah, and I'm sure it's also helpful.
You know the more diversitythat people see, so that's a
step in the right direction,being a person of color yourself
and being a really good rolemodel, especially in charge of
this organization.
But you also mentioned how youreally had no interest in
horticulture before yourself, ormaybe the interest was there
(26:26):
but you hadn't really beeninvolved with it.
Has Seed your Future changedthe way that you look at the
industry?
Jazmin Albarran (26:33):
Oh, my goodness , I can't even begin to explain.
So I always liked plants but,as I mentioned earlier, I
couldn't ever keep anythingalive.
I think I just loved them toomuch and I was at overwater.
I'm like you're a plant, surelyyou want more water right Now.
I've learned to neglect, soI've learned that.
But so I started in May and thenmy first conference was
(26:55):
Cultivate, one of the biggestconferences in the industry in
Ohio, and I went there and mymind was just blown Again.
I was like that person in thepublic that had no idea what it
took to get our plants into theshops or our food into the
grocery stores.
And now I can't walk anywhere,like anywhere, without looking
at a plant and saying, oh, Iwonder who bred it and was it
(27:17):
bred for that particular colorfoliage, and who's watering
these plants and who's feedingit and who's taking care of it.
So I am forever changed in thatrespect of I see more than a
plant now, and I want the publicto get to that point as well,
and I'm hoping to learn sometricks of the trade as well so
(27:39):
that I can keep my plants alive.
That's so beautiful.
Sam Humphrey (27:42):
I love the idea of you learning that, and I've
heard it called curing plantblindness.
Like you are no longer blind tothe plants around you and I
love that.
You sort of had that journeyalongside the rest of Seed your
Future all the students, thedozens or hundreds of students
(28:02):
that have benefited from Seedyour Future it's just wonderful
to think about.
So is there anything else aboutSeed your Future?
You think we should knowanything we didn't cover?
Jazmin Albarran (28:18):
I want people to know that Seed your Future
wants to be a hub of knowledgerelated to workforce development
.
Now I've heard many people thatthey found horticulture by
accident or as a second career,and we want to help people.
Students find their passion,find their purpose sooner, so
your listeners already knowabout horticulture.
(28:38):
So then we want to help them,you know, want to help connect
them to companies and industryprofessionals any way that we
can.
Lara Brindisi (28:48):
Right, and we talked about how you know
professors, teachers, educators,students themselves, parents
could be a more active rolethere.
But what about the generalpublic?
What can people do to supportyour missing?
Jazmin Albarran (29:02):
maybe people who aren't educators, or parents
or teachers, or yeah, well,everyone knows a student,
everyone knows a teacher or twoin their network, right?
Everyone, literally can be anambassador for Seed your Future.
Once you learn about ourresources, share it with those
in your community, because, eventhough you don't know the
person likes plants, share itanyways no-transcript.
(29:40):
Was there a mentorship, like aspecific mentorship sort of
program that you have?
No, it's just that informalconnections that we make, Like
if someone says hey, becausewhen I talk to people I tell
them I have a running list,would you mind if I ever contact
you if a student needs or hasquestions within your profession
, like I had someone reach outto me and say I want to talk to
a pulmonologist.
It's like all right, well,let's find you one.
And Desmond Lane at Auburn saidanytime you have someone that
(30:05):
has questions about pomology,send them my way.
Sam Humphrey (30:07):
That's so cool.
So you have a list that'sorganized based on like subtopic
and based on industry oracademia, yep.
Jazmin Albarran (30:15):
That is exactly how it is.
I'll characterize it on is it?
Are they a professor?
And if they're a professor,what are they teaching?
What are their passions, whatcan they speak on?
And same industry, what aretheir positions, what are their
favorite things?
Because you really want to besomething that they enjoy.
So I'm always asking well, whatdo you want to talk about?
Where's your passion?
Where can you find yourselfsupporting outside of?
(30:38):
Just what do you do?
So I try to combine all ofthose into my running list and
then when I have someone thattells me you know, technology is
their thing, I'll plug them inwith different, because
technology is it's a nursery,it's an ag, it's in research,
it's everywhere.
So those tidbits help me makematches.
Sam Humphrey (30:59):
Oh, that's fantastic.
Like if I if I was a professor,I assume, so I would send you
my information and sort of askedto be put on your list or or to
be put as an informal mentor,and then, every once in a while,
I'd get an email from you.
So it wouldn't, it sounds likeit wouldn't be a huge workload
on each individual.
Jazmin Albarran (31:19):
Right, right, and that's what we wanted to do.
We wanted to be casual, wewanted to be fun, yeah.
So when a student reaches out,or industry professional that
wants to make a career change,whoever it might be that's
looking for that conversationI'll think about who the best
fit is.
I'll put some feelers out thereof three potential people that
(31:41):
that person can speak with.
I'll email them first and sayhey, I have someone that is
interested in wanting to learnmore about X, y and Z.
Do you have 30 minutes of yourtime to speak with this person?
And they'll say yes or no.
And the ones that say yes, Ijust follow up with the
introduction email and then letthem take it from there.
Lara Brindisi (32:02):
Cool.
Feel free to sign me up as botha mentor and a mentee.
Perfect Will do the Seed.
Your Future website states thatthe next generation is losing
touch with the plants aroundthem.
Do you see this reflectedaround you, and why do you think
this is a problem?
Jazmin Albarran (32:22):
Yeah, I feel that people don't know where
their food comes from anymore.
Most people just think it's thegrocery store.
We all spend too much time onour phones and not enough time
outside, which again thepandemic changed that a little
bit, and so hopefully peoplethat found that new love and
connection with the outdoors,plants and flowers will continue
(32:45):
.
But for the most part there isa disconnect with nature which
can be very healing.
So hopefully again people willreconnect and those that haven't
will find their way there.
Sam Humphrey (32:59):
That's wonderful, and this is probably very
different when you look at it ona national scale.
Right, us here in America mightbe losing a little bit of that
connection to agriculture, butit's completely different in
many other countries.
Does Seed your Future, workinternationally or have plans to
(33:21):
?
Jazmin Albarran (33:22):
So I would love to.
While we are an American-basedmovement, anyone in the world
can use our resources.
Our resources are online, so Itell people all the time, no
matter where you are, go for it,look at our research, look at
those career profiles.
You can still get anunderstanding of what's out
there and the companies that areworking in this space.
(33:43):
I would love to see GreenCareer Week become international
Right, everyone around theworld highlighting this
wonderful industry and all thecareers associated with it.
So Green Career Week we arepromoting it in the, in the US
and also in Canada.
So baby steps, but I think thatpromoting you know
(34:04):
internationally as well willhelp us with diversity, will
help people really learn aboutall of the careers, and that we
want that diversity, and I thinkit's a great selling point.
You know students to be able totell a student you can travel
the world through horticulture.
I think we'd have a lot oftakers.
Lara Brindisi (34:22):
Absolutely.
I mean, that's one of thereasons that I found myself in
horticulture, because you knowwhy not pick a career where, if
the plants that you're workingon are from these beautiful
tropical regions or you know,Europe or Asia, Africa, anywhere
Sounds incredible?
Yeah, anywhere.
Sam Humphrey (34:41):
Sounds incredible, yeah, and working with such
amazing people too.
At the ASHS conference thisyear, there were just so many
people from different fieldsthat I had never met before and
fields that I maybe hadn't everreally thought hard about, and
people with very different lifeexperiences from me.
(35:02):
So I, yeah, I'm excited to seehow Seed your Future continues
to develop, and I really hopethat the international aspect
can be brought out more in thefuture.
Thank you for this importantwork that you've been doing for
our field.
I can't say that I've gottenvery involved with being a
(35:24):
mentor in the past, but afterthis conversation, I'm thinking
I'll sign up and I'm just I'mreally excited about this, thank
you for sharing ofprofessionals right, the next
generation of employees.
Jazmin Albarran (35:35):
Seed your Future can't do it alone.
We're happy to create theresources and we're happy to get
things going, but it literallyis going to take everyone in the
industry, no matter where youare, to be a support to Seed
your Future and the industry.
Sam Humphrey (35:57):
Remind us where we can find you or where we can
contact Seed your Future we canfind you or where we can contact
Seed your Future.
Jazmin Albarran (36:05):
Yeah, Okay, so you can reach me at my email
address, which is the letter J,my last name
A-L-B-S-M-Boy-A-R-R-A-N.
At SeedYourFutureorg.
You can follow Seed your Futureon our different socials.
We're on Facebook, on Twitterand Instagram.
Lara Brindisi (36:20):
Yes, Jasmine.
Thank you so much.
If you would like moreinformation about Seed your
Future, you can go toseedyourfutureorg.
For more information aboutcareer or internship
opportunities, you can visitseedyourfutureorg slash careers
or seedyourfutureorg slashinternships.
Sam Humphrey (36:40):
And to contact Seed your Future for networking
or mentoring opportunities.
You can email info atseedyourfutureorg.
Lara Brindisi (36:50):
If you'd like more information about the
American Society forHorticultural Science in general
, you can go to ashsorg Sam.
If people want to follow yourwork.
What's the best?
Sam Humphrey (37:02):
way.
You can find me on LinkedIn atSamson Humphrey Laren.
What about?
Lara Brindisi (37:06):
you.
You can follow me on Instagram,at ThePlantPhD, or on LinkedIn
with the tag Lara.
Sam Humphrey (37:11):
Berdizi.
This information will all beincluded in the show notes.
So thanks for joining us.
Stay tuned for our next podcastepisode.
Lara Brindisi (37:20):
ASHS podcasts are made possible by member dues
and volunteerism.
Please go to ashsorg to learnmore.
If you are not already a memberof ASHS, we invite you to join
us.
Ashs is a not-for-profit andyour donations are tax
deductible.
This episode was hosted by SamHumphrey and Lara Brindisi.
Special thanks to our audioengineer, Alex Fraser, our
(37:42):
research team, Lena Wilson andAndrew Komatz, our ASHS support
team, Sarah Powell and SallyMurphy, and our musician, John
Clark.
Welcome.
This is Plants, people Science,where we talk about all things
horticulture.
Lara Brindisi (00:16):
I'm Sam Humphrey and I'm Lara Brindisi.
How's your week, Sam?
A lot's happened this week.
Sam Humphrey (00:22):
Yesterday I got up at 3am and I spent all day with
my wonderful coworkers plantingmy strawberries, and I was very
worried about them last night,but I checked on them today and
they are looking perky and notwilted at all, so I am very
happy with that.
How about?
Lara Brindisi (00:40):
you?
Oh, I've been very busy packing.
I have a big trip coming up.
I am going to a few differentcountries actually, so hopefully
I'll be able to continuerecording this podcast.
But if our guests don't hearfrom me in the next episode or
so, it's because I won't havethat good of internet access.
(01:04):
But I'll be doing my best.
Sam Humphrey (01:06):
You can't leave them on that cliffhanger here.
What countries are you thinkingof going to?
Lara Brindisi (01:11):
I'm going to be going to the Federated States of
Micronesia actually in Pompeiiand then I'll be going to Taiwan
for an internship.
So I'm very, very excited aboutthat.
Sam Humphrey (01:22):
All right, hold on .
This sounds like so much fun,but how does this have to do
with plants?
Lara Brindisi (01:27):
Yeah, oh, true, good question.
Back to plants, people andscience.
It's actually all three of them.
So what we're doing is abaseline survey for food
security as it relates toclimate change.
So a lot of the work that I dois really based in food, and so
we're just kind of collectingthat baseline survey to get the
(01:50):
information for a future project.
And then in Taiwan I'm going tobe doing an internship at the
World Vegetable Center.
But back to your plans.
Why did you have to wake up at3 am for a harvest?
That's rough, and I think it'snot something that people
normally think of plantscientists as having to do
sometimes.
Sam Humphrey (02:11):
I think that I find it a lot easier to work
alone sometimes, because whenI'm organizing other people and
and trying to lead a group inperson, sometimes it can be
really difficult to get everyoneto come in on the right time
and keep everyone busy.
I feel like I put a lot ofpressure on myself, feeling like
(02:35):
I don't want people to have tosit around for 10 minutes as
they wait for one step to finishand another step to start, and
so sometimes going and beingalone and taking the initial
data before we plant it's beenreally helpful for me, so I just
got up early to take data.
(02:57):
It was nice, though.
I really enjoy going out therein the morning.
I'm collecting my plants fromthe greenhouse, and so it's dark
and it's cool and it's thislike greenhouse full of
strawberry plants and we havesupplemental lighting, so it's
like a pretty purple in thereand it's very nice like calming
(03:20):
vibe and like the world is quietbecause it's 3am, so just very
enjoyable overall.
Lara Brindisi (03:27):
Yeah, and at least it paid off right, Like
your plants came out, like theywere in pretty good shape, and I
know what you mean with thesupplemental lighting.
And in my greenhouse at theuniversity they have the high
pressure sodium light, so it'sthat orange yellow glow and then
when it's raining it looksreally cool.
Hopefully, you know, we havesome greenhouse enthusiasts that
know what we're talking aboutout there.
(03:48):
Today we will be taking alittle break from our normal
routine of interviewingscientists who have published in
the ASHS journals, and insteadwe will be interviewing Jasmine
Albaron, who is the executivedirector of Seed your Future.
For those of you who don't know, Seed your Future is a national
movement that actually startedthrough the American Society of
(04:09):
Horticultural Science in concertwith Longwood Gardens, and the
aim of the organization is tomake more young people aware
that horticulture is a vital,viable and exciting career path.
Sam Humphrey (04:23):
A little background about our guest.
Before she came to see yourFuture, Jasmine worked in mental
health and youth development,so she's really passionate, and
you can tell when we talk to hershe's really passionate about
helping students find theirpurpose.
She also earned her bachelor'sin psychology at Baylor
University in Waco and right nowshe's getting an MBA, and she
told us at the end of thepodcast that by the time this
(04:47):
episode comes out, she'llactually have taken her last
class for her bachelor, for hermaster's degree.
We're very proud of her forfinishing that.
So let's get started.
Lara Brindisi (05:02):
Okay, welcome.
So today we have a very specialguest, jasmine, would you like
to introduce yourself?
Jazmin Albarran (05:09):
Hi everyone.
My name is Jasmine Albron.
I'm the Executive Director ofSeed your Future and I've been
here now a little bit over ayear.
Lara Brindisi (05:17):
Can you tell us a little bit more about the Seed
your Future and how it began?
Jazmin Albarran (05:21):
Yeah, so in 2013, during, actually, an ASHS
conference, john Doe, mary Meyer, doug Needleman were discussing
the industry, labor shortagesand the decline of enrollment in
plant science degrees and theysaid we can either keep talking
about it or do something.
So they took their idea to MikeNeff, which was still very
(05:44):
basic, and they were trying tounderstand what this would
actually become.
And after further discussionswith Mike, he brought in
Longwood Gardens into theconversation to determine what
would be the first steps forthis entity, for this movement.
Longwood Gardens brought inBall into the work and then it
(06:05):
just kind of snowballed fromthere and they decided as
academia that one of the firstthings they needed to do was
conduct research to reallyunderstand what are the needs of
the industry.
And there were three phases ofresearch.
The first phase was to talk toindustry and understand well,
what do they need from thisentity, this organization or
(06:26):
this movement?
The second was talking to thepublic.
So there was a telephone surveythat was done across the
country to understand well, whatdo people know about
horticulture?
Do they even know what thatword means?
What are their perceptions ofthe industry?
And then the third phase, andwe did focus groups with
children so similar tounderstand from them.
(06:47):
What do they know about plans,what do they know about career
plans and how do they want tolearn about that, so that
research can be found on ourwebsite?
And at that point, it stillwasn't called Seed your Future
and was solely led by volunteers.
The first executive directorwas Susan Yoder, and she was
hired in 2016.
So Seed your Future and myselfare here today because of the
(07:10):
initiative taken by them, andthey are our founders.
Sam Humphrey (07:14):
That's so cool that this actually came from
discussions from the ASHS annualconference.
How did you get involved withSeed your Future?
When did you come into thepicture picture and how did you
find it?
Jazmin Albarran (07:26):
So by accident I've heard many people that say
that and maybe not trulyaccident I had no idea this
world existed but my predecessor, susan Yoder, invited me to
interview for the position.
She knew me from my firstposition and she knew that.
I knew you know outreach andstrategic thinking and youth
(07:48):
development and workforcedevelopment, but I knew nothing
about plants.
So when she suggested I applyfor this, I was like, are you
sure you want me to do this?
I'm a plant killer.
I kill every little plant thatI try my hardest, but it just
does not work.
Every little plant that I trymy hardest but it just does not
work.
And she said listen, theindustry will teach you about
(08:12):
plants.
You have that business acumenthat this position needs to
truly grow and to understand theneeds and how to relate and
connect with youth that we aretrying to reach and teachers
that we're trying to reach.
So I think that speaks to thepower of networking.
She relooked in her network andsee who might be a good fit.
So you know, I think thatspeaks to the power of
networking.
Right, she relooked in hernetwork and see who might be a
good fit.
So that's why I alwaysencourage students to, no matter
where they are.
(08:32):
Work their hardest, go aboveand beyond network and stay in
contact with people in yourcircle, and don't be afraid to
reach out to professors and topeople in the industry that one
day might remember you and askyou to consider applying for a
position.
Lara Brindisi (08:50):
Yeah, networking is always the golden word, if
you will right.
So what can students do tonetwork, whether through Seed,
your Future or through any othermeans?
Jazmin Albarran (09:02):
Yeah, well, I think one.
You know LinkedIn is such apowerful tool.
Go on LinkedIn and find onecompanies you're interested in
working in.
You can email their HR directlyand say, hey, I'd love to set
up an informational interview.
Or you can even reach out tosee your feature and say, hey, I
would like to meet someone at Xcompany.
(09:24):
Do you know anyone there?
And if we do or don't, we'lltry to find somebody, because we
know it can be intimidating.
We know it's a lot of extrawork trying to find those
connections.
So any way that Seed yourFuture can support students in
finding their passion and thatpotential future employer, we'd
love to help.
Sam Humphrey (09:42):
That's wonderful advice.
I remember being a youngerstudent I'm in my master's right
now and I feel like I havebuilt up my portfolio a little
bit but I remember being astudent that at one point I
didn't have much on there and Ididn't know how to start and I
was building up my experiences.
(10:04):
But would you give so forstudents like that, would you
give different advice?
Would you say those studentsshould still reach out, or what
are your thoughts there?
Jazmin Albarran (10:15):
Oh yeah, absolutely.
It doesn't matter what ageyou're in, right, it just the
knowledge.
Your questions are going to bedifferent based on where you are
.
So, yeah, always, always reachout, because you just again,
those connections and thoseintroductions go a very long way
, so they shouldn't feeldiscouraged.
No, not at all, not at all.
Lara Brindisi (10:35):
Is that for any age, students like high school,
middle school, college, whoshould be reaching out to Seed
your Future?
Jazmin Albarran (10:42):
Any student.
I've had high school studentsreach out and say hey, I'm
working on this science project.
I need a specialist in X, y andZ.
Can you find us someone?
And I will send out an email toour volunteers and our network
and say, hey, this student wouldlike to talk to a professional
in botany and drones and ag,whatever that might be, and they
(11:03):
will help us find someone andthen make that connection so the
student can interview theprofessional.
Lara Brindisi (11:09):
Great.
So then I'm hearing that notonly students should reach out
to you, but also potentialmentors or industry or anyone
with a potential opportunity forthose students as well.
Jazmin Albarran (11:20):
Oh, absolutely Absolutely, Because the more
that we know, the more that wecan help facilitate some of
those connections.
And if someone is willing to be, you know, even just give, give
some of their time to helpprovide guidance or direction to
someone else, regardless oftheir age or their grade level,
we definitely appreciate thatsupport that support.
Sam Humphrey (12:06):
That sounds like a fantastic opportunity for so
many different people.
I mean, I imagine myself as agraduate student.
I'm interested in mentoringyounger students, and faculty
who are much, much older arevery passionate too.
I see the full spectrum of thecommunity being interested in
this sort of thing.
So how should these interestedpeople reach out to you?
Jazmin Albarran (12:25):
They just need to email me directly and say hey
, I heard that you either wantto connect or be a part of that
connector and we'll just haveconversations.
I'll get to know that personbased on their need, like are
they wanting to help in thementoring side, what do they
know, what are their specialties, what do they really enjoy
talking about, and if it'ssomeone that needs help saying
(12:51):
you know where do you need thesupport, and then I can just
help facilitate connectionsbased that way.
Lara Brindisi (12:54):
Cool, and we will share that email in the show
notes and at the end.
But that also reminds me.
So when I was a student, I feltlike I did email a lot of
people and I was reallystruggling to figure out what I
wanted to do.
I don't know, I probablyswitched my major a hundred
times.
I didn't grow up always knowingthat I wanted to work with
(13:14):
plants.
I kind of came into that laterand, jasmine, we've talked about
this a bunch Something that wehad talked about before is
professors being more of anadvocate or teachers being more
of an advocate for students,really kind of bringing those
ideas to attention.
So what can educators do toreally show students
(13:36):
horticulture is a viable careerpath?
Jazmin Albarran (13:40):
Right, thank you, and that's a really great
question because professors seehundreds of students a semester,
right?
So if those professors knowabout our career profile page,
we have over 100 plus differentcareers within the industry.
If a professor sent that linkout to their students twice each
(14:02):
semester so that they are awareand they're starting to look at
well, what are the differentcareer paths I might be
interested in, will be soimpactful.
Right, like you said, for thosestudents to know what are the
diverse things and opportunitiesthat I can do in the industry.
But it's all knowledge, right?
If you don't know it's there,you're not even going to be
thinking about it.
So professors can definitelyhelp in reaching students and
(14:26):
getting them to our website tolearn about the different career
opportunities available to them.
Sam Humphrey (14:33):
That's so valuable too, because I imagine, like an
introductory horticulture classand the professor says here's
this link, or maybe even just anormal agriculture class that's
not specific to horticulture, ora biology class, they could
still point people in thisdirection.
Or maybe academic advisors Idon't know who are the types of
(14:54):
people you think are mostvaluable for pushing this
information.
Jazmin Albarran (14:58):
Yeah, I think it's all of the above.
I think it's professors, Ithink it's academic advisors, I
think it's anyone in careerdevelopment right, the more
people that are aware of allthese resources.
When a student says you know, Ilike technology, I like
psychology, well, you can findthose functions within
horticulture.
There's horticulture therapy.
(15:20):
How many students have no ideathat they can do that, that they
can help heal someone throughnature, through plants?
That's an incredible careerthat I know many students would
love to do, but they just don'tknow it exists.
Lara Brindisi (15:35):
Yeah, I remember being really interested in
psychology since a very youngage and then kind of switching
to science later.
But then I didn't find outabout horticultural therapy
until I don't know, like my lastsemester of college share the
(16:00):
link as well in the show notesof where people could find the
career page.
But I guess that takes us intoour next segment of where you
plan to go in the future withSeed your Future.
Jazmin Albarran (16:09):
So one thing that we are really trying to
focus now is empowering theindustry.
You know, the last few years wefocused on creating materials
for teachers to share withstudents, professors to share
with students and in my firstyear here at Teacher Future, a
lot of industry professionalshave said I want to connect with
(16:30):
students or I want to do more,but I don't know how.
I don't know where to getstarted.
It's very overwhelming.
There might be one persondedicated to that work.
So that led me and several ofour volunteers to create Green
Career Week, which is reallygiving industry a meeting in a
box so they can determine, basedon their capacity, how they
(16:54):
connect to students in theircommunity.
Right, we want to teachindustry to build their own
internal pipeline of futureemployees, and that's by the
community knowing about yourcompany and positions that you
have.
Sam Humphrey (17:08):
That's fantastic.
I really love that.
You mentioned that more andmore of these industry members
are coming out and saying thatthey want to make education and
make outreach a bigger part oftheir role, and so it sounds
like there are a lot of peoplethat are interested.
(17:30):
And you're doing such good workand you're trying your hardest,
but I wonder what sorts ofchallenges you face in this.
Jazmin Albarran (17:38):
Well, even with Green Career Week, it's hard
for people to figure out.
Can I really do this?
So helping people understand,listen, take it one bite at a
time, Do what you can.
You don't have to do everythingat one time.
So with Green Career Week, weset it up as you can either set
a field trip, so invitingschools to your site.
(17:59):
You can go to the school orjust participate on social media
.
Right, it's trying to figureout how do you not make it
overwhelming for the industry toparticipate, to get involved
and to take those first babysteps into figuring out how to
make this work for themselves.
Sam Humphrey (18:22):
That's a really low bar too.
It sounds very accessible thatyou also allow for that social
media component.
Jazmin Albarran (18:30):
Right, because that's one thing everyone can do
.
You can make a post, you cansend out a tweet.
Right, it is still timeconsuming to put it together and
find the images, but relativeto the other two options, it's
one that anyone literally couldbe able to participate and still
feel part that you are addingyour voice to our mission, to
(18:51):
Green Career Week and to, mostimportant, educating students
about the different careersopportunities in the industry.
Lara Brindisi (19:00):
Let's say I'm a student.
I hear this episode, I go onthe career page and I say, wow,
this looks incrediblyinteresting to me.
And then I go home to myparents and they tell me you
know, our ancestors were farmers.
You're not farming or there'sno money in this or plants.
What are you possibly going todo with that?
(19:22):
What do those students say backto their parents?
Jazmin Albarran (19:27):
Which is a question that we get all the
time and that we hear studentsget all the time as well, and
professors.
So they've had to sit down withparents and help the parent
understand that all thoseperceptions are not real.
For one, the level ofsatisfaction in this industry
does not compare to others.
(19:48):
I have not met a nicer andhappier supportive group of
people in my entire career likeI have in this industry.
And think about it.
You're working with thesebeautiful products, these
beautiful plants, you're feedingpeople.
That is a different level ofsatisfaction that you get.
So that's one thing that I tellprofessors and students.
(20:10):
Talk about that careerfulfillment that you'll have.
Two, stress the diversity.
People think that horticultureand agriculture is just the
farmer in overalls, thelandscaper and the person
cutting the grass All veryimportant careers, but they
don't even realize the amount oftechnology that there already
(20:31):
is in ag or sustainability andyou can be in horticulture but
an admin in graphic design andHR right.
There's so many things that youcan do.
So it takes education of theparent as well for them to
understand this is aprofessional industry.
There is career growth and youcan make money.
Sam Humphrey (20:52):
Are there any other big misconceptions that
you've seen within students orwithin parents?
In this, anything you reallywant to mention that people need
to keep in mind?
Jazmin Albarran (21:03):
I think those are the biggest ones.
People think that you can'tgrow professionally Once you
come into a position you'restuck there, or that the company
itself isn't big enough.
People don't realize how big agand horticulture really is,
especially that it'sinternational.
Everyone thinks that it's just.
I don't think that publicrealizes how Well actually I
(21:26):
know the public doesn't realizehow complex this industry is.
They don't realize how big thesupply chain is.
When someone looks at a plantthey just see the plant and
don't think twice about where itcame from.
Who was the breeder, how longdid it take to breed the plant?
(21:48):
Then you go to trials, theneventually you go to the
showroom.
That's years in the making andI feel like if the public knew
that, there would be a lot morerespect for this industry.
Because people just see thatplant and again don't realize
how it got there.
And you have to think about theinputs, the container, the
(22:08):
transportation.
There are so many componentsthat if one of those isn't in
place that plant is not gettingto that final destination.
Lara Brindisi (22:16):
Right.
So in terms of knowledge aboutthe industry or respect for the
industry, do you think there's adifference between different
communities that we might seeacross America?
Jazmin Albarran (22:27):
I think people, especially now coming through
the pandemic, have a betterunderstanding of that emotional,
physical impact to one's healththrough plants and nature.
So I think that's there, butthere still isn't that complete
understanding of how complexthis industry is because no one
(22:50):
really knows, unless you'reworking in the industry.
You don't know how long it'staking to grow them, how long
it's taking to get it to thestore or to you know the plant
shop.
So I think those in theindustry know and then maybe
like the their outer layers,that might have an idea.
(23:12):
But across the country, thepublic themselves, they don't
know how complex this industryis.
Lara Brindisi (23:21):
Right.
So what do you think can bedone to promote horticulture in
diverse communities or thecommunities that are less
exposed to some of theseconcepts?
Jazmin Albarran (23:31):
So I think it takes all of us right to finding
those communities and findingthose organizations that are
already partnering in thosecommunities, especially ones
that are think of the ones thatare focused in science or the
outdoors or in nature.
They're already connecting thatcommunity to a part of what
(23:55):
we're doing and working withthem.
To now say well, you don't haveto just enjoy the outdoors, you
can work in the outdoors.
And that's a messaging that I'malso wanting to work on for
these coming years is that I'veheard everyone saying be
outdoors, enjoy nature.
But it stops there.
Even in our industry we're notsaying and you can work with
(24:19):
nature, and you can work withplants and flowers.
So I'm trying to push everyoneto add that sentence to their
outreach, to theircommunications with the
community, because most peopledon't realize you can have a
wonderful career working withplants and flowers.
Sam Humphrey (24:39):
That's wonderful.
And just a last question ondiversity how has Seed your
Future focused its efforts in away that promotes the diversity
of the students or the peoplethat Seed your Future is
targeting?
Jazmin Albarran (24:56):
here, taking me some time to figure out, and I
thought it was going to beeasier than what it is.
It wasn't long within when Igot here when I realized this is
not a very diverse industry.
I mean myself, being a personof color, I know people of color
love plants and people ofdiverse backgrounds love plants.
(25:18):
But again, if you don't seeyourself in the space, you're
not going to come.
So I have struggled to findpeople of different backgrounds,
of different ethnicities tostart off as volunteers, because
I can't go into a community ifI don't have representation
Right.
So I have to start by buildingmy own team that I can then work
(25:43):
with and train and figure outhow we can go into those
communities and really be thevoice.
So I'm still in step one.
I am still trying to findvolunteers to help me with that
messaging and hopefullyeventually be able to get out
and show how diverse thesecareers are and how they can be
a part of this and then reallymaking our industry diverse in
(26:03):
many ways.
Lara Brindisi (26:05):
Yeah, and I'm sure it's also helpful.
You know the more diversitythat people see, so that's a
step in the right direction,being a person of color yourself
and being a really good rolemodel, especially in charge of
this organization.
But you also mentioned how youreally had no interest in
horticulture before yourself, ormaybe the interest was there
(26:26):
but you hadn't really beeninvolved with it.
Has Seed your Future changedthe way that you look at the
industry?
Jazmin Albarran (26:33):
Oh, my goodness , I can't even begin to explain.
So I always liked plants but,as I mentioned earlier, I
couldn't ever keep anythingalive.
I think I just loved them toomuch and I was at overwater.
I'm like you're a plant, surelyyou want more water right Now.
I've learned to neglect, soI've learned that.
But so I started in May and thenmy first conference was
(26:55):
Cultivate, one of the biggestconferences in the industry in
Ohio, and I went there and mymind was just blown Again.
I was like that person in thepublic that had no idea what it
took to get our plants into theshops or our food into the
grocery stores.
And now I can't walk anywhere,like anywhere, without looking
at a plant and saying, oh, Iwonder who bred it and was it
(27:17):
bred for that particular colorfoliage, and who's watering
these plants and who's feedingit and who's taking care of it.
So I am forever changed in thatrespect of I see more than a
plant now, and I want the publicto get to that point as well,
and I'm hoping to learn sometricks of the trade as well so
(27:39):
that I can keep my plants alive.
That's so beautiful.
Sam Humphrey (27:42):
I love the idea of you learning that, and I've
heard it called curing plantblindness.
Like you are no longer blind tothe plants around you and I
love that.
You sort of had that journeyalongside the rest of Seed your
Future all the students, thedozens or hundreds of students
(28:02):
that have benefited from Seedyour Future it's just wonderful
to think about.
So is there anything else aboutSeed your Future?
You think we should knowanything we didn't cover?
Jazmin Albarran (28:18):
I want people to know that Seed your Future
wants to be a hub of knowledgerelated to workforce development
.
Now I've heard many people thatthey found horticulture by
accident or as a second career,and we want to help people.
Students find their passion,find their purpose sooner, so
your listeners already knowabout horticulture.
(28:38):
So then we want to help them,you know, want to help connect
them to companies and industryprofessionals any way that we
can.
Lara Brindisi (28:48):
Right, and we talked about how you know
professors, teachers, educators,students themselves, parents
could be a more active rolethere.
But what about the generalpublic?
What can people do to supportyour missing?
Jazmin Albarran (29:02):
maybe people who aren't educators, or parents
or teachers, or yeah, well,everyone knows a student,
everyone knows a teacher or twoin their network, right?
Everyone, literally can be anambassador for Seed your Future.
Once you learn about ourresources, share it with those
in your community, because, eventhough you don't know the
person likes plants, share itanyways no-transcript.
(29:40):
Was there a mentorship, like aspecific mentorship sort of
program that you have?
No, it's just that informalconnections that we make, Like
if someone says hey, becausewhen I talk to people I tell
them I have a running list,would you mind if I ever contact
you if a student needs or hasquestions within your profession
, like I had someone reach outto me and say I want to talk to
a pulmonologist.
It's like all right, well,let's find you one.
And Desmond Lane at Auburn saidanytime you have someone that
(30:05):
has questions about pomology,send them my way.
Sam Humphrey (30:07):
That's so cool.
So you have a list that'sorganized based on like subtopic
and based on industry oracademia, yep.
Jazmin Albarran (30:15):
That is exactly how it is.
I'll characterize it on is it?
Are they a professor?
And if they're a professor,what are they teaching?
What are their passions, whatcan they speak on?
And same industry, what aretheir positions, what are their
favorite things?
Because you really want to besomething that they enjoy.
So I'm always asking well, whatdo you want to talk about?
Where's your passion?
Where can you find yourselfsupporting outside of?
(30:38):
Just what do you do?
So I try to combine all ofthose into my running list and
then when I have someone thattells me you know, technology is
their thing, I'll plug them inwith different, because
technology is it's a nursery,it's an ag, it's in research,
it's everywhere.
So those tidbits help me makematches.
Sam Humphrey (30:59):
Oh, that's fantastic.
Like if I if I was a professor,I assume, so I would send you
my information and sort of askedto be put on your list or or to
be put as an informal mentor,and then, every once in a while,
I'd get an email from you.
So it wouldn't, it sounds likeit wouldn't be a huge workload
on each individual.
Jazmin Albarran (31:19):
Right, right, and that's what we wanted to do.
We wanted to be casual, wewanted to be fun, yeah.
So when a student reaches out,or industry professional that
wants to make a career change,whoever it might be that's
looking for that conversationI'll think about who the best
fit is.
I'll put some feelers out thereof three potential people that
(31:41):
that person can speak with.
I'll email them first and sayhey, I have someone that is
interested in wanting to learnmore about X, y and Z.
Do you have 30 minutes of yourtime to speak with this person?
And they'll say yes or no.
And the ones that say yes, Ijust follow up with the
introduction email and then letthem take it from there.
Lara Brindisi (32:02):
Cool.
Feel free to sign me up as botha mentor and a mentee.
Perfect Will do the Seed.
Your Future website states thatthe next generation is losing
touch with the plants aroundthem.
Do you see this reflectedaround you, and why do you think
this is a problem?
Jazmin Albarran (32:22):
Yeah, I feel that people don't know where
their food comes from anymore.
Most people just think it's thegrocery store.
We all spend too much time onour phones and not enough time
outside, which again thepandemic changed that a little
bit, and so hopefully peoplethat found that new love and
connection with the outdoors,plants and flowers will continue
(32:45):
.
But for the most part there isa disconnect with nature which
can be very healing.
So hopefully again people willreconnect and those that haven't
will find their way there.
Sam Humphrey (32:59):
That's wonderful, and this is probably very
different when you look at it ona national scale.
Right, us here in America mightbe losing a little bit of that
connection to agriculture, butit's completely different in
many other countries.
Does Seed your Future, workinternationally or have plans to
(33:21):
?
Jazmin Albarran (33:22):
So I would love to.
While we are an American-basedmovement, anyone in the world
can use our resources.
Our resources are online, so Itell people all the time, no
matter where you are, go for it,look at our research, look at
those career profiles.
You can still get anunderstanding of what's out
there and the companies that areworking in this space.
(33:43):
I would love to see GreenCareer Week become international
Right, everyone around theworld highlighting this
wonderful industry and all thecareers associated with it.
So Green Career Week we arepromoting it in the, in the US
and also in Canada.
So baby steps, but I think thatpromoting you know
(34:04):
internationally as well willhelp us with diversity, will
help people really learn aboutall of the careers, and that we
want that diversity, and I thinkit's a great selling point.
You know students to be able totell a student you can travel
the world through horticulture.
I think we'd have a lot oftakers.
Lara Brindisi (34:22):
Absolutely.
I mean, that's one of thereasons that I found myself in
horticulture, because you knowwhy not pick a career where, if
the plants that you're workingon are from these beautiful
tropical regions or you know,Europe or Asia, Africa, anywhere
Sounds incredible?
Yeah, anywhere.
Sam Humphrey (34:41):
Sounds incredible, yeah, and working with such
amazing people too.
At the ASHS conference thisyear, there were just so many
people from different fieldsthat I had never met before and
fields that I maybe hadn't everreally thought hard about, and
people with very different lifeexperiences from me.
(35:02):
So I, yeah, I'm excited to seehow Seed your Future continues
to develop, and I really hopethat the international aspect
can be brought out more in thefuture.
Thank you for this importantwork that you've been doing for
our field.
I can't say that I've gottenvery involved with being a
(35:24):
mentor in the past, but afterthis conversation, I'm thinking
I'll sign up and I'm just I'mreally excited about this, thank
you for sharing ofprofessionals right, the next
generation of employees.
Jazmin Albarran (35:35):
Seed your Future can't do it alone.
We're happy to create theresources and we're happy to get
things going, but it literallyis going to take everyone in the
industry, no matter where youare, to be a support to Seed
your Future and the industry.
Sam Humphrey (35:57):
Remind us where we can find you or where we can
contact Seed your Future we canfind you or where we can contact
Seed your Future.
Jazmin Albarran (36:05):
Yeah, Okay, so you can reach me at my email
address, which is the letter J,my last name
A-L-B-S-M-Boy-A-R-R-A-N.
At SeedYourFutureorg.
You can follow Seed your Futureon our different socials.
We're on Facebook, on Twitterand Instagram.
Lara Brindisi (36:20):
Yes, Jasmine.
Thank you so much.
If you would like moreinformation about Seed your
Future, you can go toseedyourfutureorg.
For more information aboutcareer or internship
opportunities, you can visitseedyourfutureorg slash careers
or seedyourfutureorg slashinternships.
Sam Humphrey (36:40):
And to contact Seed your Future for networking
or mentoring opportunities.
You can email info atseedyourfutureorg.
Lara Brindisi (36:50):
If you'd like more information about the
American Society forHorticultural Science in general
, you can go to ashsorg Sam.
If people want to follow yourwork.
What's the best?
Sam Humphrey (37:02):
way.
You can find me on LinkedIn atSamson Humphrey Laren.
What about?
Lara Brindisi (37:06):
you.
You can follow me on Instagram,at ThePlantPhD, or on LinkedIn
with the tag Lara.
Sam Humphrey (37:11):
Berdizi.
This information will all beincluded in the show notes.
So thanks for joining us.
Stay tuned for our next podcastepisode.
Lara Brindisi (37:20):
ASHS podcasts are made possible by member dues
and volunteerism.
Please go to ashsorg to learnmore.
If you are not already a memberof ASHS, we invite you to join
us.
Ashs is a not-for-profit andyour donations are tax
deductible.
This episode was hosted by SamHumphrey and Lara Brindisi.
Special thanks to our audioengineer, Alex Fraser, our
(37:42):
research team, Lena Wilson andAndrew Komatz, our ASHS support
team, Sarah Powell and SallyMurphy, and our musician, John
Clark.
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