Food, Careers, and Community: DC Plant Futures Summit

Feb 6

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!

Summit Highlights

Meet People Where They Are – Whether it's climate, health, or the economy, framing food systems in ways that resonate helps bring more people into the conversation.
Food Systems Careers Go Far Beyond the Farm – From policy and business to sustainability and community work, there are so many ways to build a meaningful career in food.
Small Wins Add Up – Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every action—big or small—helps move the needle toward a better future.
Community & Relationships Make the Difference – The strongest impact comes from working together—building local partnerships, sharing meals, and creating spaces where people feel connected.
Opportunities Are Often One Conversation Away – Cold outreach, applying broadly, and simply putting yourself out there can open doors in ways you never expected.

Career & Networking

Students explored diverse food system careers and found inspiration in a strong, supportive community. Students across the nation were able to come together and realize that they are not alone in plant-centric food advocacy and that opportunities exist across multiple sectors.

Looking Ahead

The summit reinforced collaboration, curriculum integration, and continuing to bring in different perspectives across the network . With hope and adaptability, we’ll continue advancing sustainable food systems. Thanks to all who joined us in D.C.! It was an epic way to kick off the spring semester and we are excite to watch this ecosystem grow!