Meet the 2020 American Floral Endowment Scholarship Winners

American Floral Endowment Scholarship WinnersThe American Floral Endowment (AFE) recently awarded 15 students with scholarships totaling $38,500. Fifty-nine applications were received for this 2020 scholarship cycle.

“We had many overachieving students apply for scholarships this year, which is why some scholarships were awarded to more than one recipient,” says Greg Royer, Chairman of AFE’s Education Committee. “I’m proud to see the high quality of students each year, and I enjoy being a part of granting scholarships to these well-deserved students encouraging them to continue their education and become passionate industry leaders.”

Advertisement

AFE awards scholarships annually and applications are due by May 1 of each year. Scholarship descriptions are available at endowment.org/scholarships.

Richard T. Meister Scholarship Recipient: Ranjeeta Adhikari, Purdue University

Ranjeeta earned her master’s degree in agriculture from College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India and her undergrad from Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, Nepal. where she majored in horticulture. She is now pursuing her doctorate in horticulture, majoring in plant physiology (Controlled Environment Agriculture). Her crop focus is poinsettias, bedding plants, nursery crops.

“I have been involved in agriculture throughout my life including my background on farming as well as my education (BS, MS, and Ph.D. in horticulture). My goal is to develop a career as a faculty and focus my research and extension in optimizing resources including water, light, fertilizer, and temperature or sustainable production of better quality crops for the greenhouse industry,” says Adhikari. “I am devoted to the transfer of technology developed through research via active extension work involving small and large scale growers in the greenhouse industry. Moreover, I am interested in training next-generation scientists for the improvement of controlled environment agriculture through a sustainable approach.”

Top Articles
Why This Hydrangea From Green Fuse Botanicals Is a Gamechanger (Video)

American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship and James Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Jordyn Silva, Modesto Junior College

Entering her freshman year at Modesto Junior College, Silva is majoring in agriculture business with a minor in environmental horticulture. She was active in FFA throughout high school and served as vice president in her senior year.

“My main crop focus is different types of flowers, foliage, and greenery,” Silva says. “My career goal is to have my own floral business and have a farm to grow all the flowers that would be used in my designs.”

Julio and Sarah Armellini Scholarship Recipient: Meghan Bundick, West Virginia University

Seeking a degree in Horticulture with a minor in agribusiness, Bundick is a sophomore at West Virginia University. She interned at Foxborough Nursery, Inc. in Street, MD, and volunteered at West Virginia University Greenhouse last year. Before COVID-19, Bundick had planned to work at the university, planting and growing basil for the university dining service and growing different herbs on the school green roofs to be used in their design program to dye cloths.

“Ever since I was little, helping my mom in the garden, I knew I would work with plants for a living. I was involved in a plant science magnet program in high school where I discovered my passion for plants,” Bundick says. “Through my college coursework, I have discovered my passion for production. I love the idea of being able to provide beautiful flowers and fresh produce to the community.”

Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship and Earl Dedman Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Renata Goossen, Kansas State University

Presently seeking her degree in Horticulture Production at Kansas State University, Goossen is interested in commercial ornamental floriculture and horticultural marketing.

“Through my career, I desire to expand people’s minds, revealing how horticulture is a global industry that impacts their everyday lives. I want to be a part of discovering new ways to strengthen and improve our industry,” Goossen says. An active member of 4- H, in 2012 Goossen created Renata’s Garden, a micro-greenhouse business recognizing the need for high quality and unique varieties of plants for local gardeners. She served as an intern grower at Loma Vista Nursery and Green Circle Growers. She also worked remotely for the marketing department for Green Circle Growers. While there, Goossen spoke with customers about plant care concerns.

“Through this experience, I am learning how to connect with the end consumer of the products that I am used to growing behind the scenes,” Goossen says.

BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship Recipient: Nicholas Dzurenda, Virginia Tech

Dzurenda is a senior at Virginia Tech where he majors in environmental horticulture and minors in civic agriculture and community food systems. He has worked in landscaping for several years and summer planned to work this summer for Sheridan Landscaping in Fredericksburg, VA. Unfortunately, these plans were canceled due to the pandemic.

“I want to own my own greenhouse growing operation that brings Virginia native species to market for residential, commercial, and public landscapes,” says Dzurenda. “I also hope to be involved in research that improves the environmental sustainability of horticultural production.”

CalFlowers Scholarship Recipient: Nicole Davidson, City College of San Francisco

Davidson expects to graduate in December, with an associate degree in Nursery and Garden-Center Operation and Commercial Cut Flower and Greenhouse Production. Following graduation, Davidson will seek a career in greenhouse and nursery management. For the past two summers, Davidson has interned in Italy at Cascina Borgofrancone in Colico, and at Villa Boccanegra in Ventimiglia. She has served as a lab aide at the City College of San Francisco for three years.

“My next step in education is to find and attend graduate school for ethnobotany. I am also writing a book on the edible and medicinal plants of the bay area and where to find them and how to grow them,” Davidson says. She plans for this to be the first of a series featuring various travel destinations.

John Carew Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Caleb Spall, Michigan State University

Spall expects to complete his Master’s degree program in horticulture at Michigan State University in August 2022. His focus is on sustainable greenhouse production of specialty cut flowers. In addition to his involvement in student horticulture groups as an undergraduate, Spall most recently worked as an undergraduate research assistant, responsible for daily data acquisition and analysis for several hundred floriculture crops. After completing the ornamental horticulture program at MSU, he plans to enter the specialty cut flower industry.

“I want to apply my horticultural knowledge to improve the production of specialty cut flowers internationally,” Spall says. “It is my hope that by helping to establish greenhouse culture as a viable method of cut flower production internationally, the quality and  availability of harvested stems will increase.”

Ferriss Horticulture Scholarship Recipient: Emily Kolbe, University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Kolbe is entering her senior year at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, where she is majoring in horticulture and minoring in Spanish. With a special interest in the breeding and cultivation of ornamental roses, Kolbe is also focusing on the breeding of floricultural crops for hardiness in USDA zones 5 and below. This summer she has been researching the impact of node number on the doubleness of roses in the landscape at the McNair Program.

“My career goal is to enter the world of academia to increase the number of women in the horticulture field after I receive my Doctorate,” Kolbe sats. “I would like the opportunity to influence and help the future of horticulture in any way possible.”

Garcia Family Scholarship Recipient: Keller Shemwell, University of Missouri, Columbia

Entering her junior year at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Shemwell is majoring in plant science and minoring in agriculture economics. While in school, Shemwell worked at Tiger Garden, where she cared for and maintained plants, designed floral arrangements, and helped with store operations. She has volunteered in her high school greenhouse and recently with the Mizzou Student Institute of Floral Designers.

“I hope to work in a greenhouse as a grower or to work in the sales/marketing of plants in wholesale or retail operations,” Shemwell says. “I hope to one day open my own greenhouse business and raise bedding plants, vegetables, etc.”

National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) Scholarship Recipient: Annabelle Caswell, University of Connecticut

Annabelle Caswell is a junior at the University of Connecticut seeking a degree in sustainable plant and soil systems, majoring in environmental horticulture. She is presently employed as a manager at Sweet Hill Farm in Gales Ferry, CT, and has a seasonal job at the Department of Environmental and Energy Protection in Waterford, renovating historical gardens and maintaining the park grounds.

“My career goal is to work for the state of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental and Energy Protection in the maintaining of state parks and eventually retire to open my open greenhouse operation,” Caswell says. “By working for the state, I will become more aware of commercial growing and then use this knowledge to use some aspects that are sustainable for my own business. In my business, I want to focus on local growing and buying while also teaching the community about the importance of sustainable horticulture.”

Mike and Flo Novovesky Scholarship Recipient: Josey Darby, Texas A&M University

A sophomore at Texas A&M University, Darby is majoring in horticulture and floriculture. Growing up on her family’s beef cattle farm in northeast Texas, Darby developed a passion for agriculture and an appreciation for the American farmer and rancher. Active in FFA, she earned her Texas State Florists’ Association High School Floriculture Certification while in high school.

“It is my dream to one day own an upscale events venue in the North East Texas, possibly at my family’s ranch,” said Darby. “I will use my talents in the floral field to bring smiles to people everywhere.”

Lawrence “Bud” Ohlman Memorial Scholarship and Vocational (Bettinger, Holden, and Perry) Scholarship Recipient: Brian Curley, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

A sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Curley is majoring in Sustainable Horticulture focusing on greenhouse production and retail garden center operations. Curley has been active in FFA and has worked for five years at Wolf Hill Home and Garden Center, Ipswich, MA.

“I would like to work in a commercial greenhouse producing ornamental nursery crops to be sold at retail garden centers. I have an opportunity to do this with my current employer, and hope to do this as my career,” Curley says. “Later in my career, I would like to work as a horticulture teacher at my former high school, Essex Tech, where I would teach students about the green industry and help train the next generation of professionals.”

Seed Companies Scholarship Recipient: Adam D’Angelo, University of Wisconsin, Madison

A graduate of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, D’Angelo is presently studying for his Ph.D. in plant breeding and plant genetics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. D’Angelo grew up working at his family’s garden center and nursery, D’Angelo’s Garden World in Newton, NJ, and Christmas tree farm, Hidden Spring Tree Farm in Fredon, NJ. While studying at Rutgers, he was an undergraduate research assistant in the plant science department. In August at the University of Wisconsin, he will start a position as a graduate research assistant in the Goldman Breeding Lab.

“I am interested in preparing myself for a career in plant breeding, utilizing technology and modern methods to accomplish breeding objectives such as increased stress tolerance, disease resistance, resource allocation efficiency, nutritional quality, yield, marketability, and other factors that influence the stability and economic viability of growers and their communities,” D’Angelo says.

John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship Recipient: Elaina Eberz, Oregon State University

Eberz is a junior at Oregon State University majoring in horticulture – sustainable horticultural production with a second major in studio art. She worked as a horticulture technician at the Chemeketa Community College Horticulture Program in Salem, OR, until closures brought on by COVID19.

“I have an interest in the sustainable, year-round greenhouse production of widely-used vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce, providing my community with a close, steady supply of food. I have a secondary interest in the product on of hanging baskets such as fuchsias, and bouquet flowers such as carnations,” Eberz says. “My ultimate goal is to start my own greenhouse operation, ideally close to or within city limits to maximize accessibility, especially for those with disabilities. I want to have a facility similar to Detroit, a hybrid of an indoor farm and an outdoor garden that’s open for the public to use. It provides a sustainable, local source of food, as well as a safe, accessible garden space to those without a yard, or with disabilities such as chronic pain or autism.”

Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship Recipient: Helene Dondero, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Having graduated in June with a degree in agricultural science with an emphasis in ornamental horticulture and a minor in agricultural business, Dondero is now pursuing her master’s degree in agricultural education at California Polytechnic State. She has grown up in the floral industry. Dondero works in her family’s business, Fiore Floral, and Gifts in Linden, CA. In addition to working as a buying assistant for Fiore and making weekly trips to San Francisco Flower Market, Dondero also works at Biglieri Farms. Dondero has been active in numerous student and industry organizations with CalPoly and FFA.

“My goal is to be an agricultural science teacher and FFA Advisor. I will be able to share my overall general knowledge of agriculture with my students, plus knowledge from my hands-on experience working in floral, wholesale, and growing operations,” Dondero says. “I strongly feel that from this hands-on experience – and relationships I have built in the industry — I have a greater understanding of the vastness of the horticulture industry, and I look forward to sharing that with my students.”

2