Plant Futures Student Summit, Washington D.C.

The DC Plant Futures Summit was an incredible gathering of students and professionals dedicated to transforming food systems through education, community, and career development. Last year, we hosted this event in the Bay Area, bringing together a powerhouse group of students, faculty, and industry leaders. This year, it was amazing to see that same energy in Washington, DC, at American University, where we united top talent from across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

We brought together students and school leaders from American University, George Mason, UMD College Park, Harvard, Temple, UCLA, Fort Valley State, and several other Plant Futures chapters, creating a space for meaningful connections, career exploration, and food systems innovation. The event highlighted the importance of meeting people where they are, expanding career pathways in food systems, and embracing adaptability, networking, and incremental progress.

Hosting this event in DC, where policy, advocacy, and education intersect, was a powerful opportunity to elevate the role of students in shaping the future of food. Seeing so many students, professionals, and academic leaders come together reaffirmed that food systems are a critical space for climate action and economic transformation. We left feeling energized and inspired by the momentum building within this community!