American Floral Endowment Announces Its Scholarship Class of 2026

At the heart of the floral industry’s future are students whose passion and drive are being nurtured by the American Floral Endowment (AFE). As part of that support, AFE provides crucial funding through scholarships to help students manage the cost of their education.

Thanks to the generosity of AFE’s donors and industry partners, the organization is awarding a record $87,400 in scholarships through 27 scholarships. These scholarships help ease the financial burden of college while also reminding students that the floral industry believes in them and is invested in their future.

Please congratulate the following members of AFE’s Scholarship Class of 2026. The organization is eager to see the impact these future industry leaders will have on the world of floriculture.

2025 Scholarship Awards and Recipients

Great Gallina

School: University of Georgia

Scholarship: Richard T. Meister Scholarship

Greta Gallina of Athens, GA, is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia. She plans to graduate in May 2027. Her plan is to work as an ornamental plant breeder at a major research university. Her goal is to lead a breeding program that develops new ornamental cultivars that are aesthetically unique and commercially successful by combining traditional and modern breeding methods.

“I am so incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship. It will be extremely useful in allowing me to finish my Ph.D. with less financial stress so that I can pursue a career as a professor in plant breeding.”

About the Richard T. Meister Scholarship:

Dick Meister built a family business in publishing for specialized growers in commercial horticulture. He was a strong supporter of the land-grant college system and, through the years, worked closely with many horticultural and floricultural leaders. This scholarship is dedicated to the outstanding accomplishments of those in university extension and especially to Will Carlson in floriculture. The Meister scholarship is open to graduate students in floriculture intending to pursue their career in the land-grant university system with an interest in research, extension, or teaching.

Aharon Heinrich

School: University of Florida

Scholarship: National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) Scholarship

Aharon Heinrich of Miami, FL, is a junior at the University of Florida, where he is majoring in Horticulture. After graduating from the University of Florida, he plans to pursue a career in horticulture, specializing in hydroponics, vertical farming, and greenhouse crop production. His goal is to create efficient and sustainable ways to grow exotic fruits and vegetables while advancing agricultural technology.

“Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor that helps ease some of the financial pressure as I work toward my degree at the University of Florida. It allows me to focus more fully on my classes and hands-on learning, also bringing me closer to achieving my goal of becoming an expert in hydroponic systems while contributing to the future of horticulture.”

About the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) Scholarship:

The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (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. 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.

Supti Saha Mou

School: Michigan State University

Scholarship: John Carew Memorial Scholarship

Supti Saha Mou of Grand Rapids, MI, is a graduate student in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, where she is studying Horticulture. She plans to graduate from her Ph.D. program in December 2027. Afterward, she plans to pursue a faculty career at a land-grant university, where she can continue this work, generating knowledge and ensuring that floriculture producers always have access to the science-based answers they deserve.

“I am truly honored to receive the John Carew Memorial Scholarship. This recognition will inspire me to move forward in my research with more focus, and the financial support will help me pursue opportunities that expand my career possibilities in horticulture. I am deeply grateful to my donors and AFE for believing in my work.”

About the John Carew Memorial Scholarship:

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. The Carew scholarship is open to graduate students in horticulture with an interest in greenhouse crops.

Aidan Souder

School: The Ohio State University

Scholarship: Seed Companies Scholarship

Aidan Souder of San Antonio, TX is currently in the first year of his master’s degree program in Horticulture and Crop Sciences at The Ohio State University. He graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2026. His primary career goal is to connect relevant scientific research in the floriculture industry directly with the growers and companies that need it. He hopes his research will be practical and aimed at reducing grower costs, improving product quality, and increasing production efficiency.

“Receiving the Seed Companies Scholarship means a lot to me, not only as a financial contribution to my studies but also as a vote of confidence in my abilities as a student and researcher. To have the support of so many great names in the horticulture industry is an honor, and I look forward to giving back to the floriculture and seed industries through my research!”

About the Seed Companies Scholarship:

The seed companies Ball, Pan-American, Goldsmith, and Syngenta are leaders in the seed production and breeding industry, providing new, improved varieties. These seed companies cooperatively sponsor this scholarship. 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.

Tylon Moon

School: Milwaukee Area Technical College

Scholarship: John Tomasovic, Sr. Scholarship

Tylon Moon of Milwaukee, WI, is a junior at Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he is studying Horticulture. He has a special interest in hemp and hopes to bring mushroom production to the horticultural industry. He anticipates graduating in May 2027 and plans to open a hemp and mushroom business in Milwaukee. He also hopes to introduce mushrooms to communities that may not be familiar with their benefits and environmental impact. Tylon plans to partner with restoration organizations and educational institutions interested in using phyto- or mycoremediation practices.

“Many thanks to AFE for giving me the resources necessary to complete my degrees.”

About the John Tomasovic, Sr. Scholarship:

John Tomasovic, past president of BPFI, has grown his family business, Tomasovic Greenhouses and Nursery, Inc., in St. Louis, which includes a greenhouse from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. They produce bedding plants, along with nursery stock, mums, poinsettias, and bulbs. The Tomasovic 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.

Additional information on the rest of the Scholarship Class of 2026 can be found on the American Floral Endowment website.

AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. Scholarships are also available for M.S./Ph.D. students with a deadline of February 1 of each year. Descriptions of available scholarships and application instructions can be found at endowment.org/scholarships.