Applications for the Young People in Horticulture Association (YHPA) inaugural accelerator programme close at the end of the month, Sunday 31 March.

The Launch Success Challenge, which is designed to prioritise and progress a number of lateral skills needed across horticulture, offers ten scholarship spots to YHPA members, offering hands-on experiences, and behind-the-scenes learning.

Final delegates will compete in teams to bring to market a new, currently unnamed variety of begonia from Beekenkamp Plants; culminating in an official launch at Gardeners’ World Live In June 2025, in partnership with British Garden Centres.

The fully-funded programme commences with a visit to the Netherlands (2-3 July 2024) to visit Beekenkamp Plants B.V. and Floramedia Group for a behind the scenes look into product photography and young plant production facilities.

Additional dates throughout the programme include, 15 July for back to back masterclasses with Michael Perry, also known as Mr Plant Geek and Jane Lawler.

Back to back hands on workshops with Jennie Kwan and Eve Kerrigan on 2 August, as well as a one day training camp with Boy Douglas-Davis on 17 October, followed by a day spent delivering the final product pitches to a panel of experts for assessment on 18 October.

The programme will require 10 days’ commitment over the course of 15 months for the above mentioned activities.

For more information on the YPHA accelerator programme and to enter, visit: https://www.ypha.org.uk/launch-success-challenge