We recently attended the Virginia Tech Horticulture Career Dinner – an energizing reminder of why we love being part of this industry.
The evening gave us a great opportunity to connect with students who are preparing for careers in landscaping, construction, and related green-industry fields. We enjoyed hearing what students are excited about, sharing a bit about what working in the field looks like, and learning more about the skills and experiences they are building at Virginia Tech. We also had the chance to interview several students for potential internship and full-time roles, and we left impressed by the talent and enthusiasm in the room.
Representing Back to Nature were James Ulmer, Owner, and Mickey, Operations Manager. Both are proud Virginia Tech Horticulture Department graduates (Class of 2014), so the event felt especially meaningful. Being back on campus and supporting the next generation of professionals was a full-circle moment, and a reminder of the strong foundation the VT Horticulture community provides to the industry.
We were also proud to sponsor $500 toward the NCLC trip for 2026, an organization that has been an important part of the Virginia Tech experience for years, including for members of our own team. Supporting opportunities like this is one of the ways we can invest in the future of the profession and help students gain experiences that build confidence, leadership, and career-ready skills.
At its core, the Virginia Tech Horticulture Career Dinner is about strengthening the community and supporting the next generation of landscapers and industry leaders. We were glad to attend, give back, and continue supporting the Hokies who will shape what comes next.



