Alexandria, VA — Fourteen horticultural students are beginning the school year with scholarships from the American Floral Endowment totaling $24,750. “These very deserving individuals have demonstrated their commitment and passion for the floriculture/horticulture industry,” said AFE’s Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison, of Ellison’s Greenhouses in Brenham, Texas. “AFE understands the financial burden on young individuals, and is extremely pleased to be able to help them as they begin their careers in the floriculture industry, and become future leaders.”
Mackenzie Fochs, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship – $600
John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship – $825
“My goal is to have a career in horticulture where I can continue to expand my knowledge and have a positive impact by sharing this knowledge with others in an educational or marketing setting,” says Fochs. Fochs was awarded both the 2011 Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship as well as the 2011 John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship. Her passion for the industry began at an early age when she began helping her aunt on weekends work in the greenhouse.
The Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship is intended for junior or senior students pursuing careers in commercial floriculture. Ball Horticultural Company is an international breeding, production and distribution corporation involved in nearly every facet of floriculture. Includes: Ball and PanAmerican Seed, Ball FloraPlant, ColorLink, Ball Superior (Canada) and Vegmo Plant, plus 11 joint ventures around the world.
The John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship offers special consideration for sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students with financial need and a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.5. John L. Tomasovic, Sr., past president of BPFI, is owner of his family business, Tomasovic Greenhouses & Nursery, Inc., in St. Louis, Missouri (formerly John L. Tomasovic, Sr., Inc.) which includes greenhouses from 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. They produce bedding plants, fall mums, ground covers, poinsettias, Easter lilies, and sell nursery stock and dry sales of bulbs. The business began with his father in 1931.
Alicia Wells, Franklin University
Harold Bettinger Memorial Scholarship – $1,875
Fran Johnson Scholarship – $1,050
Eight years after graduation, and nearly six years after leaving the garden center business, Alicia is currently pursuing her Master’s in Marketing and Communications. “My long term goal is to assist the horticulture industry in educating and retaining existing businesses and horticulturists and expanding and growing new markets,” says Wells.
The Bettinger Scholarship is intended for horticulture students, sophomore through graduate levels, who have a major or minor in business and/or marketing with the intent to apply their education to a horticulture-related career business. Harold Bettinger was a partner in Bettinger Farms of Swanton, Ohio. In the mid-50’s, he was one of the first progressive growers to convert his bedding plant production from wooden to plastic flats. Bettinger Farms now grows greenhouse and field vegetables.
Fran Johnson enjoyed a long, productive career with the John Henry Co., a horticultural printing firm in Lansing, Michigan. Fran also made many significant and practical contributions of time and talent through the BPI trade association to advance the greenhouse industry. The Fran Johnson Scholarship goes to students re-entering school after a 3-5 year absence, who have an interest in bedding and/or floral crops.
Amy Hinkle, Penn State University
Bioworks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship – $1,150
Jacob & Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship – $1,025
A second year recipient of the Bioworks/IPM Sustainable Practices Scholarship, Hinkle was also awarded the 2011 Jacob & Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship. “I hope to open up my own specialty cut flower farm here in the United States that will provide fresh, high quality, unique, locally grown cut flowers to florists year round,” says Hinkle. Hinkle also received the 2011 GPN intern of the year honor after completing an AFE internship at Bear Creek Farms in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship is intended for students pursuing a career in floriculture. While not mandatory, it is strongly desired that the student be interested in furthering the use of Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”) or Sustainable practices and preferences will be given in this area. Students will be selected on the basis of sound academic performance and a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
The Jacob & Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship, established in January 1997, requires students have a career interest in agribusiness marketing and distribution of floral products and be of sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Jacob Van Namen is a true entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar business in wholesale floriculture. This award is intended to develop knowledgeable, creative individuals to improve the floriculture industry.
Bridget Baker, Kansas State University
James Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship – $425
“It has always been a dream of mine to own my own floral shop with a greenhouse attached to it,” says Baker. “I love working with flowers, and working in the flower shop allows me to see the joy that flowers bring to people.” Baker currently works at Owen’s Original Floral part time, and at the KSU Gardens where she cares for both succulent and tropical plants. This is the second year in a row that a Kansas State University student has won this award.
The Bridenbaugh scholarship is for sophomore, junior, or senior students who are pursuing a career in floral design and marketing of fresh flowers and plants. Jim Bridenbaugh was a specialist in fresh flowers and plants, designing and commentating at design shows and seminars. His floral industry knowledge, comedic story-telling and audience rapport made him a favorite. Jim served as OFA president from 1989 to 1991.
Elizabeth Bridges, North Carolina State University
John Carew Memorial Scholarship – $1,850
“Upon completion of my MS in December 2011, I plan to continue with my education and begin working toward my PhD, says Bridges. Her studies include looking at herbaceous perennials and their nutritional needs and requirements. A second year recipient of this scholarship, she hopes to obtain a teaching position at the university level teaching horticultural science.
The Carew scholarship is open to graduate students in horticulture, with an interest in greenhouse crops. John Carew, former head of the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, dedicated his career to encouraging and guiding young horticulturists. He was instrumental in establishing BPI in 1969.
Chelsea McKinley, California Polytechnic State University
Earl Dedman Memorial Scholarship – $1,850
“I have learned of the increasing environmental issues facing horticulture; including concerns over pollution, increasingly resistant pest species to pesticides, and worker health concerns. Learning about the current circumstances of the industry has made me want to make a difference, and find solutions to these problems,” says McKinley. Her goal is to work for a company that takes these concerns into consideration in their operations, and to help push industry standards in horticulture towards environmental sustainability.
The Earl Dedman Scholarship is awarded to students who are interested in becoming greenhouse growers, are from the Northwestern United States, and have sophomore, junior, or senior status. Earl Dedman, owned and operated Mountainview Greenhouses in Woodinville, Washington, and was a former president of BPFI. Earl considered education and hard work to be the keys to success in life.
Jessica Anson, Cornell University College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Long Island Flower Growers Association (LIFGA) Scholarship – $1,000
“Through my studies I would like to help to develop a way for farmers and flower growers to maintain economically beneficial businesses in environmentally sustainable ways,” says Anson. Her focus is to advocate for farmers, as the need for environmental awareness increases.
The LIFGA scholarship was established in 2010. LIFGA members represent growers and retailers promoting research, education, and sales of ornamentals in the local market. The LIFGA scholarship is intended for students in the Long Island/New York area studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or a four-year institution.
Jacob Kuban, Illinois State University
National Greenhouse Manufacturing Association (NGMA) Scholarship – $550
“After receiving my bachelor’s degree in horticulture, I will strive to get into a graduate school with a focus on a horticultural-related study,” says Kuban. “My career goal is to become a Horticulture specialist dealing with design, plant selection/production, fruit/vegetable production, and begin my advocacy for natural areas.”
The NGMA scholarship targets students majoring in horticulture and bioengineering or the equivalent, and are at least a junior at an accredited four-year college maintaining a 3.0 GPA. NGMA is a professional trade organization for the manufacturers and suppliers of greenhouses and greenhouse components built to codes designed for a grower’s needs.
Eric Limbird, Middle Tennessee State University
Mike and Flo Novovesky Scholarship – $1,150
“I intend to work in a research capacity that will lead to efficiencies in greenhouse and container nursery production. I have a passion for seed research, and I equally enjoy bedding plant production,” says Limbird. His goal is to work in an area that takes into account, maximizes, and utilizes ecological sustainability.
The Novovesky scholarship fund aims to help young married students who are working to put themselves through college and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Depending on the availability of married applicants, the scholarship may also go to an undergraduate working his or her way through school with financial need and family obligations. The keys are strong interest in horticulture and financial need. Mike and Flo Novovesky have enjoyed over 30 years of active participation in the floriculture industry. The Novovesky’s know first hand the hardships a young couple must overcome when balancing a career and family.
Amanda Wilkins, North Carolina State University
Bud Ohlman Memorial Scholarship – $325
“My focus is to learn the science behind horticulture and adapt that to the general public in the form of organic seed and garden production, garden displays and education,” says Wilkins. She wants to teach people about plants and gardening and the happiness and benefits flowers and plants can bring.
The Bud Ohlman scholarship requires students have a career goal of becoming a bedding plant grower for an established business and have junior or senior status. Bud Ohlman was a hands-on grower in his family business, expanding the truck gardening operation to include greenhouses, bedding plant and flowering annuals production. During the off-season he coached expansion projects, even into his 70’s. Bud’s work ethic was second to none, inspired by his God, his family, and his industry.
Christopher Currey, Purdue University
James K. Rathmell Jr. Memorial Scholarship – $3,100
“I decided I was going to be a floriculturist when I grew my first poinsettia and learned that I could control when it flowered by using short days and its height using plant growth retardants”, says Currey. “When I had the opportunities to interact with greenhouse crop producers on a professional level and deliver lectures as a graduate student the rest of my career goal became clear – I knew I wanted to be a professor.” Currey plans to study in Guatemala and El Salvador in January 2012.
The Rathmell scholarship is awarded to junior or senior level undergraduates or graduate students who have a specific plan for horticulture work/study outside of the United States. Jim Rathmell was a horticulture extension specialist at Penn State University who promoted communication and cooperation with horticulturists in other countries. A widely published author, he worked with commercial growers to implement many outstanding educational programs.
Allison Justice, Clemson University
Seed Companies Scholarship – $2,300
“After graduation, I plan to return to the industry as a leader in research and development for a plant breeder or cutting production facility,” says Justice. “With my research I hope to directly impact industry by providing a natural alternative to chemical usage.” She is currently doing research on the effect of a certain mycorrhizae on adventitious root formation.
The Seed Companies scholarship requires students to have a career goal within the seed industry and be junior or senior level undergraduates or graduate students. Seed companies – Ball, Pan-American, Goldsmith and Novartis, are leaders in the seed production and breeding industry, providing new, improved varieties. These seed companies co-operatively sponsor this scholarship.
Kyle Tuinier, Michigan State University
Ed Tuinier Memorial Scholarship – $4,325
“My goal is to learn how to fully run a greenhouse yearlong, so I can make a full-time career of greenhouse operations,” says Tuinier. In addition to his current studies, he has worked for the family greenhouse business for almost six years.
The Tuinier scholarship is awarded to sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students enrolled in the floriculture program at Michigan State University. Ed Tuinier, owner of Post Gardens, loved the greenhouse business, building his firm to one of the top 50 U.S. companies, inspiring his children, all of who work in one of the two Post Gardens locations. A graduate of Michigan State University, Ed was a major benefactor of the MSU horticulture program and demonstration gardens.
Joshua Henry, The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute
Vocational (Bettinger, Holden & Perry) Scholarship – $1,350
“I’ve been interested in horticulture from a very young age, and as I have gained experience, my interest has grown stronger,” says Henry. His goal is to have his own greenhouses, growing flowers, shrubs, trees, as well as produce.”
The Vocational (Bettinger, Holden & Perry) Scholarship requires students to be in a 1 or 2 year program with the intent to become a grower or greenhouse manager. The Vocational Scholarship is awarded in honor of: Leonard Bettinger — a successful greenhouse grower in the Bettinger Farms family business in Toledo, Ohio, and was president of the BPI trade association from 1974-1976; John Holden — who had a long, helpful career at Ball Seed Co. and was active in the BPI trade association since its inception, attending the very first “pre-BPI” conference in 1968; and Jim Perry — a respected wholesale nurseryman who grew Perry’s Plants of La Puente, California into one of the largest bedding plat operations in the U.S and was president of BPI from 1972-1974.
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is an independent nonprofit organization that funds research and scholarships in floriculture and environmental horticulture for the benefit of growers, wholesalers, retailers, allied industry organizations, and the general public. For more information, contact AFE or visit www.endowment.org.
Source: The American Floral Endowment