Farmers File Solar Panel Lawsuit, Horticulture Careers Highlighted

Farmers and renewable energy groups are suing USDA over changes to the Rural Energy for America program. Farmers involved say new restrictions have made it harder to get federal assistance for solar projects, with some previously approved funding also affected. The lawsuit asks a federal court to overturn the changes and reconsider applications under the rules that were in place when farmers applied. Solar accounted for about 68% of REAP awards from 2011 through early 2025. Seed Your Future is working to promote horticulture and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in the industry. Executive Director Jazmin Albarran says those careers go far beyond working directly with plants, including marketing, design, logistics, and more.

“We need to make sure that there are more people pursuing these careers because we forget we need plants to breathe. We eat plants. We need plants for shelter and clothing, and they do so much for us. And without having people pursue those careers, we're going to be in trouble. And so we want to just show again the breadth of the industry. Whatever you're into, you're likely to find a career in this industry on the Seed Your Future website. We have a database of over 120 different career profiles.”

Seed Your Future is preparing for a Green Career Week, October 5th through the 9th.

“Really, we want to be able to connect these businesses, these horticulture employers, to students in their backyards.” Jaszmin Albarran with Seed Your Future.