b'From Seed to Streetscapecontinued from page 19actually matters, she says. They can drive through Lakeland later and know they had a hand in that.For city staff, the students help is especially helpful during busy periods, when extra hands make a measurable difference in keeping work on schedule.They worked hard the whole time they were out here, Sierra says. They didnt slow down.While the extra help supports production, staff also view the visits as a chance to share skills and introduce students to potential career paths.GROWING TOGETHERWeve had adult volunteers come out, and we also have individuals with special needs who help us, Sierra says. Theyre able to work at their own pace and they do a great job helping us keep things moving.Homuth echoes that sentiment and explains that the time volunteers spend helping the nursery is invaluable.As far as helping us stay on task and keeping everything under control, without volunteering it does get really hectic out here, Homuth says.As Lakeland continues to invest in its municipal nursery, staff view the operation as a long-term assetone that supports efficient landscaping while fostering community involvement. By growing plants in-house and opening the nursery to multiple partnerships, the city is able to strengthen both its public spaces and its connections across the community.If youre interested in volunteering at the nursery, contact department su-pervisor Amanda James at Amanda.James@lakelandgov.net.agFor information please contact Jimmy Williamsat863-533-0561Being a part of the communities weserve is a cornerstone of our business. Were recruiting for Agent PositionsThe PromiseFBRCNP1221FloridaAgNews.com CFAN | 23'