FUND YOUR FUTURE

The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 by the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS). This scholarship serves to memorialize Mr. Akehurst who served the horticultural industry as one of the founders of MANTS. In addition to his thirty plus years as Executive Vice-President of MANTS, Mr. Akehurst serves as Executive Secretary of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, the Maryland Nurserymen's Association Horticulture Research Foundation, Maryland Christmas Tree Growers, American Conifer Society, and Maryland Greenhouse Growers' Association.

MANTS, an association formed from the state nursery and landscape associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, has established this scholarship with the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) with the belief that the strength and future success of the horticulture industry lies in the solid education of today's students. MANTS' establishment of this scholarship is a reflection of Mr. Akehurst's firm belief that education begets one the opportunity to achieve. Through this scholarship, MANTS will provide scholarship opportunity to qualified students to help ensure the continuity of the nursery and landscape profession.

One scholarship up to $3500 is available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• Be a resident of one of the three MANTS member states: Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Attendance at an institution within these states is not mandatory
• Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture program or related discipline at a two or four year institution
• Be enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• Have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.7 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
• Have at least a junior standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year.
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• Previous Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship award winners are eligible for additional funding and may reapply for the scholarship.

The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship was created in 1988 by the Bigelow family to aid students from New England who are seeking a career in horticulture. The scholarship was dedicated initially to one of the family's children, the late Timothy Bigelow. At Palmer W. "Bill" Bigelow's death, the name of its creator was added.

The Bigelow family considers student scholarships the most important commitment the horticultural industry can make to ensure the growth and development of the nursery and landscape industry.

One scholarship up to $2000 is available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture program or related discipline at a two- or four-year institution
• be enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time complement of courses at the time of application and during the semesters that the scholarship is granted
• be a resident of one of the six New England states (although attendance at an institution within these states in not mandatory): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont
• have senior standing in a two-year curriculum (having completed the first year), junior standing in a four-year curriculum (having completed the first two years), or a graduate student standing.
• have a minimum grade point average of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, or 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for a graduate student
• Preference will be given to an applicant who plans to work in any aspect of the nursery industry following graduation, including the desire to own one's own business. Preference will also be given to an applicant in financial need.
• Previous Timothy Bigelow Scholarship award winners are not eligible for additional funding.

Bryan A. Champion, president of Herman Losely & Son, Inc. in Perry, Ohio, was a 5th generation nurseryman with a passion for the nursery and landscape industry. During his career he was involved with local, state and national associations that represent the industry. He sought to advance the industry through sound leadership, volunteer participation, and peer-to-peer networking and education events. He was a “Buckeye”, and graduated from Ohio State University (OSU) in 1987. Champion understood the value of a quality education and the importance of industry research. During his career at Herman Losely and Son, Inc., he worked with OSU and the United States of America- Agricultural Research Service to successfully solve industry issues.

Bryan passed away on November 10, 2011 at the age of 47, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

In honor of Champion's legacy and dedication to the nursery and landscape industry, donations have been received from his peers to establish The Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year, Champion's legacy will be remembered when the fund provides a student scholarship to a deserving horticultural student. It is our hope that each recipient will show a similar passion for the industry as Champion exhibited throughout his life.

One scholarship of up to $1000 is available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in landscape, horticulture or related discipline at a two or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have at least a sophomore standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year, if an undergraduate student (graduate students of any year are also eligible)
• attend an institution located in the state of Ohio. Students attending schools outside of Ohio are ineligible. Ohio state residency is not required
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the green industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• Previous Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship award winners are eligible for additional funding and may reapply.

This scholarship is not administered by HRI but by the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund. For 2023, HRI and the Sidney B. Meadows foundation will utilize a shared application to amplify applicant access to scholarships and streamline our two organizations’ administrative efforts.

Created in 1989, the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship provides academic scholarships to students in sixteen southeastern states. The scholarship is dedicated to one of the most honored horticultural leaders, the late Sidney B. Meadows, who has been described as one of the industry's great humanitarians. Meadows was an avid supporter of student scholarships and believed that providing aid for students was the most important way to ensure the growth and development of all facets of the industry. Because of his beliefs and passion, many students are awarded scholarships each year.

Numerous scholarships of up to $2,000 are available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• Student must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate ornamental horticulture program or related discipline at a four-year college-level institution, must be currently enrolled in good standing and must carry a full-time compliment of courses at time of application and during the semester the scholarship is granted.
• Student must be in a junior or senior standing at time of application in a college­ level four-year curriculum (having completed the first two years and at least two horticulture courses) or a graduate student standing in a masters or doctoral program.
• Student must be a resident of one of the 16 SNA states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia) although attendance at an institution within these states is not mandatory. The student must be a citizen of the U.S.
• For the most recent two years (four years for graduate students), a minimum grade point average of 2.75, based on a scale of 4.0, is required for undergraduate students or 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for graduate students.
• Preference will be given to those applicants who plan to work in any aspect of the industry (including owning their own business) following graduation and those in financial need.
• Previous scholarship recipients may reapply; however, each is limited to a maximum of two scholarship awards.

Hans Gunter Mecking was one of those people in the green industry who, if you knew him, you knew he was salt of the earth. Gunter knew the meaning of hard work and valued the relationships he built over a lifetime working side by side growers. After working for his family’s business in Germany, Gunter travelled to Canada where he developed a peat bog and peat moss business. Gunter had an impeccable reputation and his commitment to honesty and custom solutions for each and every one of his customers was well known.

In 2019, his friends and family banded together to established the Gunter Mecking Memorial Scholarship, benefitting green industry students who aspire to the same qualities that made Gunter so special: hard work, honesty, and commitment to the industry. 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in landscape, horticulture or related discipline at a two or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have at least a sophomore standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year, if an undergraduate student (graduate students of any year are also eligible)
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major.
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• - Previous Gunter Mecking Scholarship award winners may apply for the scholarship by submitting a new application form for the year.

What is a Mugget? An informal group called the Mugget Growers of America (MGA) began in 1981 as a social, educational and fundraising group. Each year MGA participants meet at the American Nursery & Landscape Association's (ANLA) Management Clinic to discuss important plant issues regarding the development of a new plant called "Mugget". In addition to their discussions many of the MGA members make contributions during their meeting to the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of ANLA. Contributions are made in support of HRI's research and scholarship activities.

MGA members understand the importance of having qualified and quality professionals within the green industry. The MGA group decided that proceeds from Mugget events will be made in support of student scholarships. This is how the Mugget Scholarship was created. Each year, as the fund grows a student scholarship will be awarded. Mugget supporters hope to help aspiring students from across the country obtain a degree in horticulture with this scholarship.

One scholarship of up to $1000.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in landscape, horticulture or related discipline at a two or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have at least a sophomore standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year, if an undergraduate student (graduate students of any year are also eligible)
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major.
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• Previous Mugget Scholarship award winners may apply for the scholarship by submitting a new application form for the year.

Bright, well trained, and qualified people are essential to the nursery industry, that's why Dale and Liz Deppe created the Spring Meadow Scholarship Fund in 1999. This fund is dedicated to helping aspiring students from across the country obtain a degree in horticulture.

The Spring Meadow team has been blessed by this industry and the mentors who've helped them along the way. This scholarship fund is their way of giving back, and sharing the excitement for plants and the nursery industry with others. Spring Meadow Nursery's goal is to grant scholarships to students with an interest in woody plant production, woody plant propagation, woody plant breeding, horticultural sales and marketing.

Three scholarships of up to $4000 are available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in landscape, horticulture or related discipline at a two or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have at least a sophomore standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year, if an undergraduate student (graduate students of any year are also eligible)
• be interested in woody plant production, wood plant propagation, woody plant breeding, and/or horticultural sales and marketing
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
• Previous Spring Meadow Nursery Scholarship award winners are eligible for additional funding and may reapply.

Susie and Bruce Usrey of Monrovia Growers Inc. in Azusa, CA, established the Susie & Bruce Usrey Education Scholarship 2009. The Usrey family considers graduating students in horticulture to be the lifeblood of the green industry. The scholarship is awarded annually to horticulture students enrolled in a California state university or college.

Monrovia is committed to enhancing the beauty and value of the North American landscape - one garden at a time. By producing the strongest plants in the industry, they offer peace of mind and quality assurance that stands behind each and every Monrovia plant.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape horticulture program or related discipline at a two- or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
• be a student enrolled in a California state university or college. California state residency is not required.
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• Previous Susie & Bruce Usrey Education Scholarship award winners are eligible to apply for additional funding.

Susie and Bruce Usrey of Monrovia Growers Inc. in Azusa, CA, established the Usrey Family Scholarship in 2001. The Usrey family considers graduating students in horticulture to be the lifeblood of the green industry. The scholarship is awarded annually to horticulture students enrolled in a California state university or college.

One scholarship up to $1000.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

• be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape horticulture program or related discipline at a two- or four-year institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
• be a student enrolled in a California state university or college. California state residency is not required
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
• Previous Usrey Family Scholarship award winners are eligible to apply for additional funding.

Wright’s Nursery & Greenhouse, Inc. is a small, family-owned and operated business located in central Alabama. The Wright family has been farming for many generations and began growing plants in the late 1960’s. They grow a diverse selection of annuals, herbs, perennials, tropicals and vegetables that are sold at local independent garden centers throughout central and north Alabama. 

The business started from what most would consider a horrific accident. David Wright, Jr. lost his right arm in a farming accident at the age of 14. He now considers it as one of the best things to have happened to him. Without the accident, they would not have started the nursery and greenhouse business, nor would he have had the chance to attend Auburn University where he earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and met his future wife, Martha. Their son, Davy and his wife, Heather, now own and operate the farm. 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in greenhouse, nursery, horticulture or related discipline at a two or fouryear institution. Students in vocational agriculture programs will also be considered.
• Be currently enrolled in good standing and carry a fulltime course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
• Have at least a sophomore standing in a fouryear curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year, if an undergraduate student (graduate students of any year are also eligible)
• have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.25 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in their major.
• Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the greenhouse industry following graduation. However, students from all aspects of the industry including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center will be strongly considered. 
• Preference will be given to applicants who are residents of Alabama or who attend a school in Alabama, but all students will be strongly considered.
• Previous Wright Family of Alabama Scholarship award winners may apply for the scholarship by submitting a new application form for the year.