‘Young talent wants to grow and contribute’

'Passion' embodies our unlimited commitment to crops, people, and technology, driving innovation across the horticulture sector. Building on the enduring importance of personal touch, GreenTech is excited to strengthen connections and unveil new initiatives designed to inspire growth and collaboration within the industry. In a series of articles, the passion within horticulture worldwide will be highlighted from different angles. This time we focus on talent.

Innovation is what makes horticulture internationally strong. But to continue to innovate, talent is indispensable. In various ways, attempts are therefore made to find new talent and to bind it to the sector. Such as the ReThink Food Challenge, an initiative of Wageningen University & Research in collaboration with numerous international partners.
 

Reimagining food

In this international student competition business ideas are developed that offer an innovative, circular and sustainable approach to growing food on Earth by learning from research on space farming. Ideas can involve enhancing current technologies, introducing new ones, or reimagining the concept of 'food' as a whole. In an interdisciplinary team, students focus on one of the two major topics within space farming: indoor farming or alternative proteins. “Students need to identify a real-life problem and a concrete market and design a viable innovation that fills an existing gap. Throughout the challenge teams will closely collaborate with industry leaders”, says Project Manager Marta Eggers. 

The ReThink Food Challenge is not just a competition—it’s a mission. With Earth’s population climbing toward 10 billion and resources dwindling, the need for transformative food systems is urgent. Add to this the dream of extending human life to other planets, and the challenge becomes an extraordinary test of ingenuity. This year, over 350 participants from 50 countries—ranging from biotech engineers to aspiring astronauts—came together to tackle this colossal task. Hosted by Wageningen University & Research, the challenge dares participants to dream beyond convention, devising systems that can thrive not only on Earth but in the extreme conditions of space. “The ReThink Food Challenge brought together brilliant minds from 148 universities worldwide, each participant contributing unique expertise to address the pressing need for food system transformation. Their innovative ideas are as diverse as the challenges they aim to solve, spanning sustainable farming, indoor cultivation, or alternative proteins.”
 

Genuinely committed

Main goal of The ReThink Food Challenge is to inspire students, support their personal and professional development as future changemakers and create space where they can grow. “Create space where actors interested in space farming meet and new ideas are being born. Put space farming on the agenda.” The teams have been working hard on their ideas for the past few months. The finals will take place at the end of May. “It was a journey where we met so many wonderful, motivated students who put a lot of work and energy into the Challenge. It was a joy to talk to them during the events and see them grow. Their level of engagement was incredible. It was also great to work with the industry partners, who were genuinely committed to supporting the students and coaching them as effectively as possible. We truly enjoyed those interactions”, says Eggers.

She believes that these types of initiatives are important because students learn to deal with uncertainty, think outside the box, and work in interdisciplinary teams. “They experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur and challenge themselves beyond the curriculum. By bringing people together, unexpected things happen.” During GreenTech Amsterdam, several participants of the Challenge will shine on one of the stages, because the initiative is also important for the food industry, according to Eggers. “The ReThink Food Challenge stimulates innovation, emphasizes climate-smart solutions, circularity, and resource optimization aligning directly with the greenhouse sector’s goals of reducing environmental impact, connects the greenhouse industry with young talent and teamwork takes form of the collaborative approach needed in modern greenhouse systems that combine horticulture, technology, data, and economics.”
 

HortiTalent

Another initiative aimed at attracting talent is HortiTalent. HortiTalent takes place during GreenTech Amsterdam and is intended to introduce students to the innovative world of greenhouse horticulture. Students from different levels follow a program with inspiring speakers, a practical assignment and guidance by young professionals from the sector. They actively get to work on the trade fair floor and end the day together.

“The goal is to inspire young talent to pursue a career in the greenhouse horticulture sector,” says Annie van de Riet, president of AVAG. AVAG is the organization in which Dutch companies work together in the field of integrated growing systems, components and associated service and is the initiator of HortiTalent. “By bringing them into direct contact with companies, innovations and people from the field, we want to show how many opportunities the sector offers. AVAG is actively committed to developing the labor market within the sector. With HortiTalent we want to contribute to the influx of young talent, in close cooperation with companies, educational institutions and GreenTech.”

GreenTech is the international platform for horticultural technology. That is precisely why it is the right place for such an event, Van der Riet believes. “Students see the latest innovations here and meet companies that are active worldwide. That makes it the ideal place to experience the sector and to enter into discussions with potential future employers.”
 

Education and business

After a joint kick-off with short presentations, the students will go around the fair in groups. They will work together on a profile of their choice, collect information on the fair floor, draw up an advice and pitch their solution to a professional jury. The day ends with the announcement of the winner. “Good cooperation between education and business is essential to maintain a connection between what students learn and what companies need. By working together, we can better respond to future developments and ensure a sustainable inflow of new professionals.”

After last year’s edition of HortiTalent, students indicated that they were surprised by the diversity and innovative power of the sector. “They get a more realistic picture of the possibilities and become enthusiastic about delving deeper. It is also valuable for companies: they get direct contact with young people who are open to an internship or starter position.” Although Van de Riet advises companies to also take the initiative themselves outside of HortiTalent. “Show yourself as a company at events, through internships, company visits and collaboration with education. Ensure an open culture and offer space for development. Young talent is not just looking for a job, but a place where they can grow and contribute.”