A group of students listens to a man speaking about a garden.

Hortie Hoopla 2025

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

NYC-Area Green Industry Field Day

Join NYBG’s School of Professional Horticulture for its free annual field day for interns, seasonal employees, and aspiring horticulturists. In the morning, join us for coffee and tea, then view the Garden’s collections, talk with our Horticulture curators and experts, and test your plant ID skills. Hear from experts in the horticultural field, get insights during an Open House, and wrap up the day with BBQ, refreshments, games, and prizes! View the flyer to learn more.

RSVP

To register, please fill out the below form. If part of a group, each person should RSVP individually. Space is limited to one supervisory staff member per group of interns. For any questions, contact Richard M. Smith, Director, School of Professional Horticulture at rsmith@nybg.org.
Name*
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Email*
Organization*
Number of Attendees*
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People walk around a room full of tables with information on programs and other green industry careers.

Check-in and Networking

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ross Gallery

Come early for coffee, tea, treats, and networking, or explore the Van Gogh’s Flowers exhibition.

Hear from Experts in the Horticultural Field

12 to 2:30 p.m.
Ross Hall

After an introduction by School of Professional Horticulture faculty and administration, we’ll kick off the day with Special Guest Rocco Elliot, Rap Artist & Content Creator, who will perform “Just Me & My Plants.” Then, listen to “My Story” Presentations by experts in gardening, horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, and more. Afterward, we’ll hear from Keynote Speaker Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago, author and Founder of Agrochic.com, as she presents a talk on “Why Taking a Garden Break Can Transform Your Well-being, Work, and Sense of Belonging.”

“My Story” Presentations

Sarah Well, Green-Wood Cemetery
Rosana De Leon, Green City Force
Oliver Lopez, Riverside Conservancy
Liman Cheng, Founder of Till
Max Barresi, 2021 SoPH Graduate, Private Estate Gardener

People take slices of watermelon at a barbecue.

Open House and BBQ

2:30 to 5 p.m.
Various Locations

In the afternoon, join us for an Open House to get a behind-the-scenes look at NYBG’s Horticulture Operations Center, Nolen Greenhouses, and an exploration of Van Gogh’s Flowers. Conclude the day at the Edible Academy with a BBQ, refreshments, games, and prizes!

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