Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Promotes the Importance of Horticulture Careers at the Grow Your Horticulture Program Event Hosted by Longwood Gardens

October 12, 2018 Kennett Square PA – Today, during Agriculture and Food Careers Week in Pennsylvania, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding spoke at Grow Your Horticulture Program, an event hosted by Longwood Gardens in partnership with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Eastern Pennsylvania and Seed Your Future.

Speaking to representatives from 25 different educational institutions from across the region, Secretary Redding emphasized the importance of promoting horticulture as a vibrant, exciting industry for young people. Dr. Scott Sheely, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Special Assistant for Workforce Development was also in attendance.

“Engaging young people with careers involving plants and horticulture is key,” said Sarah Cathcart, Vice President of Education at Longwood Gardens. “We are thrilled that Secretary Redding, Dr. Scott Sheely, and Susan Yoder from Seed Your Future, were able to lend their support to this important initiative.”

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,083 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and 4.5-acre conservatory. Longwood continues the mission set forth by Mr. du Pont to inspire people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education and the performing arts. Longwood Gardens is on US Route 1 near Kennett Square, PA. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.

About Seed Your Future
Seed Your Future is an initiative to promote horticulture awareness across the United States. Supported by more than 150 partner organizations, including lead partners Longwood Gardens and the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Seed Your Future strives to grow the horticulture field by advancing educational programs for students in middle school through college. For more information, visit SeedYourFuture.org.

About Career and Technical Education Programs
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer students the opportunity to develop critical skills through a combination of classes and hands-on learning experiences. There are more than 80 career and technical education centers across Pennsylvania that offer Pennsylvania Department of Education approved programs to thousands of students. For more information, visit careertechpa.org.