Kylie Goodson - President
My name is Kylie Goodson; I'm 18 years old and in 12th grade. I am in 4-H and a pole vaulter for my school track team. I love spending time with my family and friends, dancing, and volunteering with the kids at my church! 4-H is a huge part of my life, I have been involved in many horticulture activities, including identification, forestry, and gardening. Horticulture came into my life in the 6th grade when I started hydroponics in my agriculture class. My goal for NJHA is to reach people and teach them about not just the industries of horticulture for careers but also how horticulture impacts us in our everyday lives. As your President, I am here to serve any of your needs for the association, please feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns! You can reach me at [email protected]
My name is Kylie Goodson; I'm 18 years old and in 12th grade. I am in 4-H and a pole vaulter for my school track team. I love spending time with my family and friends, dancing, and volunteering with the kids at my church! 4-H is a huge part of my life, I have been involved in many horticulture activities, including identification, forestry, and gardening. Horticulture came into my life in the 6th grade when I started hydroponics in my agriculture class. My goal for NJHA is to reach people and teach them about not just the industries of horticulture for careers but also how horticulture impacts us in our everyday lives. As your President, I am here to serve any of your needs for the association, please feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns! You can reach me at [email protected]
Jaylene Carey - Vice President
My name is Jaylene Carey and I am the 2025-2026 NJHA Vice President! I am so excited to serve this wonderful youth organization in the upcoming year and connect with other plant lovers all around the nation. I am a freshman at the University of Florida pursuing my undergraduate degree in Plant Science and a minor in plant molecular and cellular biology. My end goal is to obtain a doctorate in Cancer Biology to study how plants can be used on the molecular level as a model or cure for cancer mutagens. Some things I enjoy are singing, line dancing, going to lakes/springs, nature walks, reading, and meeting new people. I am also involved in several UF clubs like the club swim team, plant science ambassadors, Baptist collegiate ministries, agronomy soils club, and sigma alpha professional agricultural sorority. My favorite plant is Liriodendron tulipifera and my favorite contest in NJHA is the extemporaneous speech! Feel free to reach out to me whenever and I look forward to a great year! You can reach me at [email protected]
My name is Jaylene Carey and I am the 2025-2026 NJHA Vice President! I am so excited to serve this wonderful youth organization in the upcoming year and connect with other plant lovers all around the nation. I am a freshman at the University of Florida pursuing my undergraduate degree in Plant Science and a minor in plant molecular and cellular biology. My end goal is to obtain a doctorate in Cancer Biology to study how plants can be used on the molecular level as a model or cure for cancer mutagens. Some things I enjoy are singing, line dancing, going to lakes/springs, nature walks, reading, and meeting new people. I am also involved in several UF clubs like the club swim team, plant science ambassadors, Baptist collegiate ministries, agronomy soils club, and sigma alpha professional agricultural sorority. My favorite plant is Liriodendron tulipifera and my favorite contest in NJHA is the extemporaneous speech! Feel free to reach out to me whenever and I look forward to a great year! You can reach me at [email protected]
Lane Taylor - Secretary
Lane Taylor, a proud Floridian landscaper (and self-proclaimed “decent dancer”), has been involved in the horticulture industry since developmental years. Starting out in 4-H agriculture projects, he slowly discovered the world of plant identification contests, and through this discovery, he became involved with NJHA. His dependence on horticulture for livelihood fuels his passion for the industry and the organization. In his career, he hopes to complete an education in turf management, while in his leadership, he hopes to bring the benefits of increased numbers, comprehensive records, prolific correspondence, and state-level grassroots support to the NJHA. You can reach me at [email protected]
Lane Taylor, a proud Floridian landscaper (and self-proclaimed “decent dancer”), has been involved in the horticulture industry since developmental years. Starting out in 4-H agriculture projects, he slowly discovered the world of plant identification contests, and through this discovery, he became involved with NJHA. His dependence on horticulture for livelihood fuels his passion for the industry and the organization. In his career, he hopes to complete an education in turf management, while in his leadership, he hopes to bring the benefits of increased numbers, comprehensive records, prolific correspondence, and state-level grassroots support to the NJHA. You can reach me at [email protected]
Andrew Logan - Treasurer
My name is Andrew Logan, and I am a senior at Sacramento Country Day School in Northern California. I have been drawn to horticulture since my family started a garden on an empty lot in our neighborhood during the pandemic. I enjoy learning about plants because it helps me feel connected to my neighborhood and the world around me. This year I became interested in propagating various plants using several different methods.
As Treasurer, I hope to help inspire other Western states to join NJHA and attend our national convention. Outside of NJHA, I enjoy running, reading, and am president of my 4H club. You can reach me at [email protected]
My name is Andrew Logan, and I am a senior at Sacramento Country Day School in Northern California. I have been drawn to horticulture since my family started a garden on an empty lot in our neighborhood during the pandemic. I enjoy learning about plants because it helps me feel connected to my neighborhood and the world around me. This year I became interested in propagating various plants using several different methods.
As Treasurer, I hope to help inspire other Western states to join NJHA and attend our national convention. Outside of NJHA, I enjoy running, reading, and am president of my 4H club. You can reach me at [email protected]
Justin Austin - Director
My name is Justin Austin and I am a senior at Wheeler High School in northeast Mississippi. Over the past few years, I have taken up many leadership positions, including serving as my school's powerlifting team captain, a board member for the NEMYF, the president of my school's FFA chapter, and many more. The horticulture world struck me as one with an array of complex means and ends. However, I have come to love horticulture because it allows you to create healthy, thriving environments or small, attractive hobbies. Aside from the hands-on aspect, the people who commit to horticulture define it for me. In just the short while I have been involved with the NJHA, I have fallen in love with the people surrounding it, and this paves the way for my goals for the NJHA's future. I want to expand NJHA as far as it can go. My goal is to hold a convention with all 50 states and territories in attendance so that we can witness the NJHA in its fullest grandeur. You can reach me at [email protected]
My name is Justin Austin and I am a senior at Wheeler High School in northeast Mississippi. Over the past few years, I have taken up many leadership positions, including serving as my school's powerlifting team captain, a board member for the NEMYF, the president of my school's FFA chapter, and many more. The horticulture world struck me as one with an array of complex means and ends. However, I have come to love horticulture because it allows you to create healthy, thriving environments or small, attractive hobbies. Aside from the hands-on aspect, the people who commit to horticulture define it for me. In just the short while I have been involved with the NJHA, I have fallen in love with the people surrounding it, and this paves the way for my goals for the NJHA's future. I want to expand NJHA as far as it can go. My goal is to hold a convention with all 50 states and territories in attendance so that we can witness the NJHA in its fullest grandeur. You can reach me at [email protected]
Jeremiah Caswell - Director
Hi, my name is Jeremiah Caswell. I’m 17 years old, and I have been homeschooled my entire life. For the past 12 years, I have been deeply involved in extracurriculars through Florida 4-H. During my time in 4-H, I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the country, competing with judging teams and attending conferences. I have also gained valuable life skills such as public speaking, leadership, decision-making, and communication.4-H introduced me to horticulture through projects like forest ecology, plant identification, and the Pollinator Habitat Ambassadors program. These experiences sparked my interest in horticulture and eventually led me to the National Junior Horticultural Association, where I discovered the many incredible opportunities the horticultural field has to offer. As a director, one of my goals for the NJHA is to improve outreach. I hope that by helping the NJHA grow, the organization can inspire more youth like me to learn about the importance of horticulture and the wide range of career opportunities within the field.
Hi, my name is Jeremiah Caswell. I’m 17 years old, and I have been homeschooled my entire life. For the past 12 years, I have been deeply involved in extracurriculars through Florida 4-H. During my time in 4-H, I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the country, competing with judging teams and attending conferences. I have also gained valuable life skills such as public speaking, leadership, decision-making, and communication.4-H introduced me to horticulture through projects like forest ecology, plant identification, and the Pollinator Habitat Ambassadors program. These experiences sparked my interest in horticulture and eventually led me to the National Junior Horticultural Association, where I discovered the many incredible opportunities the horticultural field has to offer. As a director, one of my goals for the NJHA is to improve outreach. I hope that by helping the NJHA grow, the organization can inspire more youth like me to learn about the importance of horticulture and the wide range of career opportunities within the field.
Ethan McCreary - Director
Hello I am Ethan James McCreary and I am the son of Jeff and Joyce McCreary, younger brother to Marty Joe McCreary. It is because of the 4 year age gap between me and my brother so I have been in or around 4-h since I was 3, this has gave me examples of where to improve and where to better myself. I have graduated high school with honors and 6 different cords and also congressional Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Along with being involved at my local 4-H chapter, I have been a county and a state ambassador. I am now attending Northeast Mississippi Community college and majoring in Ag business. When I finish the degree path here at the Community college I will then transfer to Mississippi state to further my education. I want this degree to become an Extension agent to provide kids with the different opportunities that I have been provided with.
Hello I am Ethan James McCreary and I am the son of Jeff and Joyce McCreary, younger brother to Marty Joe McCreary. It is because of the 4 year age gap between me and my brother so I have been in or around 4-h since I was 3, this has gave me examples of where to improve and where to better myself. I have graduated high school with honors and 6 different cords and also congressional Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Along with being involved at my local 4-H chapter, I have been a county and a state ambassador. I am now attending Northeast Mississippi Community college and majoring in Ag business. When I finish the degree path here at the Community college I will then transfer to Mississippi state to further my education. I want this degree to become an Extension agent to provide kids with the different opportunities that I have been provided with.