Students at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise Greenmount Campus in Antrim attended an event on opportunities in horticulture and floristry. Industry professionals presented their career experiences and advice for entering the sector.

Craig Alcorn of Alcorn Garden Centre in Letterkenny opened the event. He described operations including a production nursery, garden centre, flower shop and tropical world attraction. Alcorn discussed modernising with new technologies, peat reduction, sustainable energy and sports turf services.

Clara Agnew of Clara Agnew Floristry participated in a UK Skills competition as a CAFRE floristry student. She now serves as a board member of the Institute of Flowers. Agnew encouraged students to embrace challenges.

Aleana Cairns, CAFRE Horticulture Adviser, attended the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School. She held placement and graduate roles in crop trials for cereals, potatoes and root vegetables, plus research on peat-free alternatives for mushroom cultivation. Cairns now assists growers with production and sustainability. She advised students to pursue available opportunities.

John Beardmore, Program Coordinator of the Ohio International Intern Program, and Bill Winchell, Production Manager at Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants in Michigan, spoke remotely. They detailed internship options for CAFRE students, offering global exposure, professional growth and international networks.

Will Armitage, President of the Horticultural Trades Association, explained membership benefits and the association's support for the industry. He promoted available training and stressed building personal networks.

Jill Peterson, Head of Creative Development at Memento in Belfast, outlined her floristry career in Hong Kong, Bora Bora and London. She advocated reducing waste, using local growers and educating customers on sustainability.

A panel of current CAFRE students who succeeded in competitions closed the morning. Dr. Eric Long, Head of Education, thanked speakers, organisers and students.