Two HCS students win scholarships from the American Floral Endowment

July 31, 2014

Horticulture and Crop Science seniors, Joshua Henry and Amy Miller, were awarded scholarships from the American Floral Endowment. According to their webiste, 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." 

Joshua Henry (pictured left), is an Sustainable Plant System's major with a specialization in horticulture. Joshua was awarded the BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship ($1,200) and James K. Rathmell, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Horticultural Work/Study Abroad ($3,300). 

"The BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship is intended for sophomore, junior or senior students pursuing a career in floriculture. Students will be selected on the basis of sound academic performance and a GPA of 3.0 or better. 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 preference will be given in this area.

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. 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 U.S.

His career goals include working in horticultural research and one day owning a greenhouse business. 'I began volunteering in gardens over 10 years ago, and I have absolutely loved plants ever since,' he said" (American Floral Endowment, 2014)."

 

Amy Miller (pictured above right) is Sustainable Plant System and Agribusiness major. She was awarded the Harold Bettinger Scholarship ($2,000) and the Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship ($1,100). 

Harold Bettinger was a partner in Bettinger Farms of Swanton, Ohio. In the mid-‘50s, 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. 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.

The Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship was established January 1997. 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. The Van Namen Scholarship requires students have a career interest in agribusiness marketing and distribution of floral products and be of sophomore, junior or senior standing.

Amy's goal is to become a plant researcher in horticulture. 'I am passionate about working with greenhouse crops and am excited about being able to assist growers,' she said (American Floral Endowment, 2014)." 

See the full article here. 

Photos: American Floral Endowment

To learn more about the American Floral Endowment, check out their website: www.endowment.org