From Curiosity to Career: Championing Horticulture with Sarah from MorePeople
Welcome back to TheMorePeople Podcast where we explore the people, ideas, and innovation shaping careers across food, agriculture, horticulture, and beyond. In this edition, we sit down with Sarah, a long-time team member at MorePeople, who’s gone from zero industry experience to leading recruitment for one of the UK’s most technical and overlooked sectors: horticulture.
The Unlikely Path to Passion
Sarah joined MorePeople five years ago with no background in recruitment or horticulture. Today, she manages a team focused on recruiting roles that range from entry-level to executive in sectors like farming, agronomy, crop science, and commercial growing.
“I had no experience in horticulture,” Sarah admits, “and now I couldn’t be more passionate about it. It’s an incredibly technical, scientific, and underappreciated industry.”
She’s now a vocal advocate for the sector, pushing back against outdated stereotypes that paint horticulture as a fallback for the academically disengaged. “I’ve got a decent education,” she says, “and I couldn’t do half of these jobs. People don’t see the science, logistics, and complexity behind what it takes to get food or plants from the field to the shelf.”
Shifting Perceptions: Why Horticulture Gets Overlooked
Part of horticulture’s image problem stems from its legacy. “Historically, it was suggested as a route for people who failed their exams,” says Sarah. “That idea stuck.”
Today, the public rarely stops to think about how their strawberries arrived in pristine condition in a supermarket or what went into producing a healthy bedding plant. That disconnect is what Sarah and others are working hard to change.
Building a New Generation: The Role of the YPHA
Sarah doesn’t stop with recruitment; she’s also part of a broader movement. As a committee member of the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA), she’s helping foster a community and platform for professionals under 35 in the industry.
Formed in 2020, the YPHA has already grown to over 900 members. “We do monthly seminars, in-person events, and partner with experts to provide support from financial advice to personal development,” Sarah explains. “It’s about giving young people a network and a voice.”
Their advocacy efforts have even reached the House of Lords, where they lobbied for horticulture to be better represented in the UK school curriculum. “We want kids to know this is a career option before they’re making life decisions. Right now, they’re told A-levels, university, and that’s it.”
Rethinking Recruitment: Degrees vs. Experience
As recruiters, Sarah and the MorePeople team have a front-row seat to how people enter (and stay in) the industry.
“The reality is, I very rarely see candidates with horticulture degrees,” she says. “Most come through apprenticeships, industry qualifications, or sideways from science degrees. And thankfully, more businesses are recognising experience and passion over traditional qualifications.”
In an industry facing an ageing workforce and a skills gap, this shift couldn’t come at a better time.
Advice for the Next Generation
Asked what advice she’d give to her 24-year-old self, or anyone stepping into the industry, Sarah doesn't hesitate:
“Keep being curious. Ask questions. Admit what you don’t know and be eager to learn. That’s how I’ve built a career in something I didn’t even know existed five years ago.”
Final Thoughts
Horticulture may still battle outdated reputations, but with advocates like Sarah, the industry is evolving fast. Whether through recruiting new talent, championing young professionals, or educating the next generation, Sarah is helping ensure the future of horticulture is bright and better understood.
