Horticultural science students with Assistant Professor Melinda Knuth and Edwin Knijnenburg, head grower at Floricultura, during a trip to the 2025 California Spring Trials. | North Carolina State University
Six horticultural science students at North Carolina State University recently got a look at the breakthroughs blooming in the world of plants during a trip to the California Spring Trials 2025 (CAST 2025) where they engaged in hands-on learning, professional networking, and behind-the-scenes tours of some of the most influential companies in the floriculture and plant breeding industries.
From March 26 through March 29, students traveled through California’s Central Coast, gaining insights into the future of horticulture, including a glimpse at the latest plant varieties.
“From greenhouse tours to conversations with world-class breeders and producers, the 2025 Spring Trials gave students a transformative, experience-rich week — equipping them with knowledge, inspiration, and real-world context for their future careers in horticulture,” says Melinda Knuth, Assistant Professor of Horticultural Science, who accompanied the students on the trip.
An Early Start to Industry Immersion
The learning began immediately when students met up with trip volunteer, prominent industry member, and NC State horticultural science alumna Debbie Hamrick. First, students visited Syngenta Flowers in Gilroy, where they observed how breeding trials are conducted, explored new plant varieties, and engaged in conversations with industry professionals about innovation and market trends.
“Horticulture in California is another level. You can be in places where you can see production in any direction for miles (e.g., grape vines, greenhouses, or lettuce),” says Brady Farlow, a senior majoring in horticultural science. “It’s a scale we don’t get to see in North Carolina for these specialty crops.”
The group then visited the floriculture company Danziger hosted at Headstart Nursery. Students had the opportunity there to ask questions about international distribution and licensing partnerships.
“One of the best parts of the trip was learning more about the interconnected systems within the horticultural industry. It’s completely different learning about specific concepts in class and hearing firsthand how plants pass from breeder to broker to nursery to retail,” says Oliver Walters-Clift, a sophomore horticultural science student.
Exploring Breeding and Biotechnology
On a visit to Sakata Seed, students learned how breeders select and evaluate new varieties of both ornamentals and vegetables. Discussions centered around genetics, market needs, and performance data.
Next came a tour of Floricultura Pacific, a major orchid producer. Students observed orchid production, learned about tissue culture with orchids (completed at another Floricultura facility and transported to California), and discussed the challenges of growing and distributing tropical crops on a commercial scale.
During a visit to the berry company Driscoll’s in Watsonville, students learned about advanced berry breeding and pest resistance from experts in plant health and pathology.
For Humberto Martinez, a senior majoring in horticultural science, the experience opened his eyes to different aspects of the industry that he previously didn’t have as much exposure to.
“At first I was afraid that this trip may not have been for me with an emphasis on plant breeding,” says Martinez. “But as the days went on meeting new people and seeing new places, I not only expanded my plant breeding knowledge but I was also able to learn more about the industry; Particularly in regard to marketing, management, and supply chain. It was a good opportunity for students like myself to talk to leaders in the same industry about how they got to their current position.”
The first day of the tour ended with a stop at Global Plant Source, where students explored a wide variety of crops from growers like Hishtil and Jaldety and gained exposure to global trends in floriculture.
“One takeaway is from listening to people’s stories of their career paths,” says horticultural science sophomore Andrea Garcia-Guerrero. “This trip has taught me to apply for every opportunity and try new things. And, if they don’t work out, that is okay. Rejection is redirection. There are so many opportunities to explore within the industry!”
For additional information on the students’ stops and what they learned during CAST 2025, please read the original article hosted on the NC State University website.