The Oregon Nurseries Foundation supports incoming and continuing college students pursuing careers in horticulture and related fields. Please join us in congratulating the Oregon Nurseries Foundation’s 2026–2027 Scholarship Award recipients.
Applicants are evaluated based on academic achievement, commitment to the nursery industry, financial need, and affiliation with OAN. Scholarship applications open each January during the winter term and are reviewed by the ONF Scholarship Committee each spring. The next application cycle will open in January 2027, with completed applications due by April 1, 2027.
Addison Johnson is attending University of Oregon and will be a junior this fall. Having grown up around the nursery industry — she’s the daughter of OAN member Joel Johnson of Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery — Addison has been inspired in pursuing the business and marketing side of the nursery industry. She believes modern branding, social media, and event marketing strategies can play a powerful role in growth and outreach, especially for women entering the industry. She received the Nursery Industry Business and Operations II Award.
Adelaide Lord will be an incoming freshman at the University of Southern California, pursuing a degree in business administration. She wants to help agricultural businesses adopt innovative technologies and sustainable practices that protect natural resources, all while strengthening their bottom line. She has spent many years at the family business, Tree Frog Nursery, and has been awarded the Retail Chapter III Award.
Alec Newton has been awarded the Association Services Award, the first of its kind. Transferring as a junior to the Colorado School of Mines, Alec plans to study engineering and specialize in structural design. He is the son of OAN Board President Patrick Newton of Powell’s Nursery.
Alex Bellegarde is a sophomore at Oregon State University studying ecological engineering. They received the Ed Wood/Clackamas Chapter Award. Since receiving a scholarship last year, Alex has found even more ways to get involved with OAN and the horticultural industry. They spent their spring working directly in a retail nursery, Al’s Garden & Home.
Anna Deur will begin her freshman year at Oregon State University majoring in horticulture. She received the Emerald Empire Chapter Award. Anna currently works as a research assistant on ethnobotanical projects sponsored by the National Park Service. She works in collaboration with tribal partners helping to research, compile, and publish documents regarding the cultural use of plants.
Brian Hart is a junior at Portland Community College pursuing environmental landscape management technology along with certificates in arboriculture and geographic information systems. Brian is the recipient of the Woodburn Nursery I Award and plans to work in environmental horticulture and native plant propagation, both of which are important in the growing naturescaping and restoration industry.
Chase Stoddard will attend Corban University as a freshman majoring in agribusiness. As a loan officer, Chase hopes to champion the growth and advancement of Oregon’s nurseries by navigating their distinct needs. He received the Joseph H. Klupenger Award.
Cheryl Johnson is a junior at Clackamas Community College with plans to transfer to Oregon State University to pursue a degree in natural resource management. An employee of Al’s Garden and Home, Cheryl has received the Jack Bigej Memorial Scholarship.
Elisabeth Rickard is a sophomore at Clackamas Community College studying arboriculture, landscape management, and horticulture. She is the recipient of the Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award. In addition to pursuing associate’s degrees, Elisabeth is also working toward certifications in plant health management and irrigation technology.
Elliana Munk is a returning applicant and received the Clackamas Chapter Award. She has transferred to Oregon State University and is pursuing a degree in agricultural education. Elli’s dream is to establish an educational greenhouse and land laboratory where students can gain real-world experience in plant science, nursery management, and sustainable agriculture.
Emily Barnett is a junior at Carroll College studying accounting and strategic finance. Emily’s plan is to use this combination of experience and education to help strengthen the long-term stability and efficiency of the family nursery, Margie’s Farm & Garden. She has received the Woodburn Nursery II Award.
Frances Fancher received the Retail Chapter II Award. She is a senior at Oregon State University majoring in agricultural science. Frances aspires to be an agriculture educator integrating nursery management, plant propagation, and sustainable growing practices into her future curriculum.
Frank Pohlschneider will begin his freshman year at Oregon State University studying horticulture and agriculture. He received the Nursery Employee Award for the upcoming academic year. He plans to return to the family nursery, Pohlschneider Nursery, after earning his degree and obtaining work experience at other nurseries.
Harold Vance is a freshman at Oregon State University pursuing a degree in horticulture with a focus on plant breeding. He comes from a family berry farm which inspired him to follow his commitment to sustainable crop production and new berry varieties. He is the recipient of the Nurseries Foundation Award.
Irelyn Gibbs is transferring to Oregon State University to major in horticulture. She started at South Oregon Community College, which offers a unique agroecology degree that combines the concepts of agriculture and ecology. There she learned and applied the 13 principles of agroecology to build a more sustainable food system. Irelyn received the Nurseries Memorial Award.
Isaac Basile will begin his freshman year at Oregon State University studying horticulture. He is the son of OAN member Ryan Basile of Dayton Bag & Burlap and received the Willamette Chapter Award. Growing up around the nursery industry has given him a strong interest in the plants and desire to contribute to the long-term success of the Oregon nursery industry.
James Barnett is a freshman at Oregon State University majoring in agribusiness. His goal is to return to the family nursery, Margie’s Farm & Garden, after college. He hopes to help expand the nursery’s operations into wholesale markets while continuing to build the retail business. James has received the Retail Chapter I Award.
Landrie Hirz is a senior at Oregon State University pursuing a degree in horticulture. Landrie has received the Bill Egan Memorial Award. She recently completed an REEU internship in Indiana studying the benefits of native pollinator planting beds within urban community gardens.
Makaela Carter will be a graduate student at Oregon State University studying agricultural education. She is the recipient of the Mt. Hood Chapter I Award. She is working toward becoming a high school agricultural educator with the hope to expand horticulture opportunities beyond the classroom by developing school greenhouse programs, plant sales, and community-based projects.
Makayla Rose is a junior at Corban University studying agricultural business. She plans to apply learned practices, marketing skills, and business strategies to carry the family business, OAN member Silver Falls Seed Company, into the future for further generations. This year she received the Nursery Industry Business and Operations I Award.
Micah High is receiving the Mt. Hood Chapter II Award and will be a junior at Delaware Valley University majoring in horticulture. Micah is currently also completing a two-year professional horticulture program at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Shay Willhite is in her last year at Oregon State University pursuing a degree in horticulture. Having spent time working at various wholesale and retail nurseries, she aspires to continue in the industry whether as a landscape designer or arborist. Shay received the Art Spada Memorial Scholarship.
Tillie Wendt is the recipient of the Larry Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship. Tillie is currently working towards a horticulture degree at Oregon State University and is on her final year. She has actively been involved in her family’s blueberry farm in California, where she has gained valuable skills and insights into the agricultural industry. She also completed an internship at Monrovia, with hopes of returning after completing her degree.
William Pearson is a senior at Oregon State University studying horticulture with a focus on sustainable production. Active in industry engagement opportunities such as NexGen meetings and our own Farwest Show, he received the Royal Boltman Memorial Award.
Well done!
The Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Nurseries Foundation congratulate these outstanding students on their achievements and are proud to support the next generation of horticulture professionals as they prepare to lead and strengthen the future of the nursery industry.
From the August 2026 issue of Digger magazine | Download PDF of article
