Immersive Professional Development
for High School Educators

Let's Grow Together in Pennsylvania at Longwood Gardens!

About/What to Expect

Seed Your Future is seeking 30 high school floriculture and horticulture educators for an expenses-paid, immersive professional development experience (a $1,900+ value!) designed to strengthen your confidence across all segments of the green industries. This hands-on learning journey hosted by Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania equips you with the knowledge, resources, and industry insight needed to seamlessly integrate career exploration, pathways, and real-world applications into your curriculum. Through direct engagement with industry professionals, dynamic classroom resources, and collaborative learning with peers nationwide, you’ll gain the clarity and confidence to help students better understand their options by empowering them to make informed decisions about college, careers, and their future in horticulture and floriculture.

 

No longer accepting applications for the 2026 cohort.

Please check back January 2027 for our next cohort application!

 

 

icon__monitor_.png

This immersive experience combines flexible online learning, live virtual workshops (four), and a hands-on, in-person gathering

icon__leaf_.png

Hands-on experiential learning with experts in plant science, horticulture and/or floriculture

icon__hand_holding_plant_.png

Information about life skills and careers available to students in the green industries

icon__chalkboard_teacher_solid_.png

Guidance and support from a team of expert facilitators

icon__Users_.png

Collaboration & community with a diverse cohort of 30 high school educators from across the nation

icon__diploma_.png

$750.00 Travel stipend and up to 40 CEU credits for program completion

icon__Text_Bullet_List_Square_.png

Participants will develop student-centered career resources that will enhance the Seed Your Future library of career profiles and pathways

icon__Text_Bullet_List_Square_.png

Longwood Gardens (PA) will serve as the flagship host for Seed to STEM, supported by immersive learning locations throughout surrounding states

 

 



Teacher-with-Background.png

Details

Program Length: April – July 2026

Key Dates & Locations

 

 

 

Meet the Facilitators

Sarah Nerswick

Sarah earned a BS in Agricultural Education and a Master’s in Agricultural Leadership from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). She spent 10 years teaching high school agriculture before transitioning to a non-traditional education role as a Learning Designer for Vivayic. In 2018, Sarah founded Green & Growing Education, a business dedicated to providing professional development for agriculture teachers nationwide. The organization has hosted 11 national virtual conferences, produced a podcast, published monthly blogs for teachers and entrepreneurs, and facilitated both virtual and in-person gatherings that offer educators space to connect, grow, and recharge with peers.

Read More

 

 

Hannah Wedger

Hannah is a Learning Designer and Project Owner at Vivayic, specializing in NGSS curriculum development and facilitating engaging professional development for educators. With a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota (Ski U Mah!) and a Master’s in Career and Technical Education from Concordia University in Portland, Hannah combines a strong academic foundation with over 13 years of experience in education.

Read More

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application Window: December 15 - March 6

Participants and their school system will be notified of their selection in early March.

 

Do you have questions? We’ll be glad to answer them! Just send us a message at: [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

>  What does 'immersive PD" actually mean?

Over the course of our time together in Pennsylvania, you will experience the diversity of the horticulture industry and green careers through multiple site visits and hands-on learning. From Longwood Gardens breath-taking landscapes, floral cold-chain, technology-packed greenhouses, sustainability-recognized nursery operations and much more. The goal is to introduce you to the diverse areas in horticulture while being able to engage directly with the people in those careers.  

>  What exactly do you mean by “expenses paid”?

For the in-person immersive event, each participant can expect Hotel accommodations for 4 nights (single occupancy), meals during the event, transportation during the event in Pennsylvania, and the provision of professional-development related supplies and resources. 

Each participant can also expect to receive a $750 reimbursement for approved travel expenses to the immersive event. Approved travel expenses include flight, mileage, car rental, and public transportation. Additional details will be provided to selected applicants. 

>  What is expected of me if I am selected as a participant?

In all, selected participants will spend about 40 hours in training and professional development by: 

  • Completing asynchronous training and exercises 
  • Participating in the program kickoff and two, 1.5-hour webinars
  • Traveling to and attending the 4-day, 3-night on-site immersive event in Pennsylvania. 

As a result of the experience, each participant will co-design a career tool for classrooms!

>  How is this program different from traditional workshops or conferences?

Direct Access to Industry Experts: Participants engage directly with professionals from the field, gaining insights into real-world applications and current industry trends that they can bring back to their classrooms, making their lessons more relevant and future-focused.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Unlike lecture-based workshops, immersive experiences emphasize active participation, allowing educators to practice skills, experiment with concepts, and engage in experiential activities that deepen understanding and retention.