Spring Trials 2025: A Week of Experiential Learning for Horticulture Students

A pop of color on your front porch. A bit of texture along the walkway to your favorite restaurant. A whisper of a fragrance in a gentle spring breeze in the park. Whether it’s indoors or out, plants shape the ambiance of our lives.

And six horticultural science students at NC State University recently got a look at the breakthroughs blooming in the world of plants during a trip to the 2025 California Spring Trials 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 — an experience that couldn’t be replicated in a classroom.

“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 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 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 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 emphasis in plant breeding,” Martinez says. “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 regards 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, Jaldety and Saad, 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!” 

Connecting the Dots on the Central Coast

The last day of the trip took students south to Dümmen Orange at COE Winery, followed by Bejo Seeds in Oceano. These visits offered insights into both floral and vegetable breeding, greenhouse production, and the marketing that supports new variety launches.

The final horticultural stop was at Ball Horticultural in Santa Paula, where students saw how large-scale breeding operations integrate research, trials, and global distribution networks.

“It was an incredible experience. It really opened my eyes to the vast range of opportunities available to us as the next generation of horticulturalists,” says junior horitucltural science major Norma Hernandez-Cruz. “We come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences and this trip has helped me see that there’s always a need for our contribution. The education we receive at NC State is invaluable and will help take us far in the industry.”

Culture, Community and Reflection

The trip wasn’t entirely focused on the horticulture industry. Students also got to do a little sightseeing along the California coast, including a stop at the Ventura Farmers Market, where they saw local growers in action, and a tour of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

They wrapped up the visit with time spent in downtown Santa Monica, taking in the natural beauty of the California beaches.

Then students flew back to the East Coast ready to plant their futures.

“Hearing the stories of those in the industry and their path to get there was encouraging,” says junior horticultural science student Katie Campuzano-Gomez. “There are so many opportunities within horticulture and the paths to get there are just as diverse. Whether in research, production, design or marketing, there’s a place for everyone.”