Introducing the 2026 AmericanHort HortScholars
The AmericanHort HortScholars logo. | AmericanHort
The AmericanHort HortScholars are the industry’s top horticulture students, shaping the future with professionalism, fresh insights, new ideas, and cutting-edge research. The program aims to set recipients on a path to success with a view of the industry that goes beyond the classroom. Recipients gain real-world insights into career pathways, supply chains, and industry opportunities through professional development sessions, networking, and mentorships.
Here are some of the selected 2026 HortScholars:
Reece L. Bailey of Colorado State University
Reece is currently pursuing his Master of Science at Colorado State University, where he is studying horticulture and researching the introduction of saffron as a high-value, low-input crop in the western part of the U.S.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he conducted research studies on the native flora of Colorado, focusing on exurban and urban habitats, designed novel mycelium-based building materials, and led a pilot study on saffron cultivation in green roof and rooftop agrivoltaics systems. After earning his M.S., he envisions utilizing plants as infrastructure to design resilient built environments that are ecologically diverse, use bio-based materials, function to provide natural ecosystem services, and regenerate the landscape.
Ellie Gregoire of Virginia Tech
Ellie graduated with a Bachelor’s in Horticulture with a minor in Plant Health Sciences from Virginia Tech. She started her research as an undergrad surrounding the evaluation of substrates within controlled environmental agriculture.
In her current pursuit of a Master’s degree, her research continues to be focused on the evaluation of novel crops within hydroponic production systems. Her hope is to bridge the gap between traditional agriculture and controlled environmental agriculture to bring innovation to vegetable crop production. She believes resilience starts with strong community connections that can be fostered by a shared love for all things plants.
Edilzon Ramirez of the University of Florida
Edilzon is a third-year Plant Science student at the University of Florida with a strong passion for horticulture that grew from hands-on industry experience. He began working in a plant nursery with no prior plant knowledge, where he pulled weeds and swept floors.
At UF, he continues this involvement as a Plant Science ambassador. In the future, he hopes to work at a horticulture establishment where he can mentor a new generation of interns. He is also looking forward to gaining more hands-on experience as an assistant grower with a poinsettia growing team this fall.
For the full list of 2026 HortScholars and additional details on each recipient, learn more on the AmericanHort website.
Meet the 2026 HortScholars at Cultivate’26
At Cultivate’26 in Room B131 on Monday, July 13, 2026, the 2026 HortScholars will be speaking on areas for opportunity and advancement in horticulture, including what the next generation of employees is looking for when searching for jobs in the green industry.
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