Fields of Opportunity With FFA

Growing up in the Netherlands, Ko Klaver was in the heart of one of the most advanced floriculture systems in the world. In 1988, he left the iconic tulip-growing region to participate in the National FFA work exchange program while attending the Royal Dutch Horticultural College.

During his exchange, Klaver worked at Pettengill Farms in Massachusetts, where he managed cut flower production across fields and high tunnels. Living with the farm family and immersed in daily operations, Klaver gained both independence and confidence and started on an international path that would ultimately shape his career and influence the U.S. cut flower industry.

Initially, Klaver planned to live in the U.S. for six months, but his plans quickly changed.

“It was a six-month program, and then I extended it to a year and then to 18 months,” he recalls. “The whole experience was so positive and so much fun. I noticed that there was a tremendous amount of opportunity here in different types of flower production and that the market was not even close to being filled.”

Passion Nurtured by FFA

After a brief return to the Netherlands, Klaver came back to the U.S. in 1990. He became a U.S. citizen and has built a career as a grower and industry leader. Today, he is the vice president of sales and marketing for Zabo Plant Inc. and Pioneer Gardens Inc. and the re-search and development manager for GardenChoice. While his responsibilities range from working with wholesale growers to finding, trialing and developing new genetics, there is one consistent element in all of his roles.

“It has always been a passion for me to help farmers be productive, efficient and profitable,” he says.

Klaver credits FFA with shaping more than just his technical skills, building local connections and providing an introduction into American agriculture. The leadership develop-ment also left a lasting impression.

“FFA is really training farmers to be leaders,” he says. Klaver wants to do his part to sup-port future leaders in floriculture. In 2026, he will again contribute floral products to the National FFA Floriculture Career Development Event (CDE). He hopes that FFA members considering the floriculture industry will also participate in international work-exchange programs. “The experience you will gain will benefit you for the rest of your life,” he says.

Cut Out for Flowers?

Think you might be cut out for a career with plants and flowers? Check out the National FFA Plant Systems career pathway and Floriculture CDE.