The Oregon Nurseries Foundation announces the 2023 ONF scholarship recipients

The Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) supports incoming or continuing college students who are preparing for careers in horticulture or related fields. Students were evaluated based on academic achievement, nursery industry commitment, financial need and OAN affiliation.

Scholarships are applied for during winter term and awarded by the ONF’s committee each spring. The next cycle of applications will open in January 2024 and are due by April 1, 2024. Please join us in congratulating the ONF’s 2023–2024 Scholarship Award recipients!

Alexandra Geschwill has been awarded the Retail Chapter I Award for her pursuit of higher education
at the University of Southern California. Alex plans to study civil engineering with the intent of applying her skills to strengthen the infrastructure that supports the agricultural industry.

Ann Amato has been awarded the Retail Chapter III Award. Ann currently works for two OAN nurseries and will continue her studies at Clackamas Community College to complete her associate degree in horticulture.

Avery Lord has been awarded the Joseph H. Klupenger Award. Avery will be an incoming first-year student at the University of Southern California with plans to study occupational therapy. Growing up on an ornamental nursery, Avery has developed a passion for utilizing horticulture as a form of therapy and plans to incorporate the two.

Benjamin Bailey has been awarded the Bill Egan Memorial Award and is currently studying at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Heading into his junior year, Ben is working on a degree in business and attributes his education and appreciation for new opportunities to his time at Smith Gardens, including an upcoming internship position.

Brady Traeger has been awarded the Arthur Spada Memorial Scholarship. Brady will be a junior at Oregon State University, where he is currently pursuing a degree in agriculture and food business management with the intent to help grow the family operation at Woodburn Nursery and Azaleas.

Carson Henderson has been awarded the Woodburn Nursery I Award and will be a first-year student studying crop science at the University of Idaho. Carson plans to expand the family nursery operation, Thistledown Farms, and explore propagation and grafting.

Chloe Hupp has been awarded the Willamette Chapter Award to apply towards her studies at Chemeketa Community College. Chloe plans to transfer to Oregon State University to complete her agribusiness degree, then continue the family tradition of owning a nursery — but with a twist of adding an event center.

Cydney Stables has been awarded the Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award. Cydney will be a junior at Graceland University, where she is pursuing a degree in agribusiness. Her plans include becoming a spokesperson, educator and advocate for the agriculture industry.

Elizabeth Minnich has been awarded the Nurseries Memorial Award as she pursues her degree in horticulture and urban agriculture at the University of Idaho. As the assistant to the greenhouse manager on campus, she looks forward to staying involved in the greenhouse industry promoting sustainability and responsible pesticide application practices.

Ellie Perkins has been awarded the Nurseries Foundation Award. Ellie will be a sophomore at Oregon State University, where she is pursuing a degree in horticulture. Ellie is passionate about growing flowers and working in the nursery and greenhouse industry.

Emily Jones has been awarded the Larry Fitzgerald Memorial Award. Emily is pursuing a degree in horticulture and sustainability from Oregon State University, and plans to apply her education to enhancing local food systems with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture.

Emmett Henderson has been awarded the Woodburn Nursery II Award. Emmett will be a sophomore at the University of Idaho, where he is pursuing a degree in crop science. He hopes to return to the Willamette Valley to farm and own greenhouses for flowers, shrubs, fruit and vegetables — all similar to the family operation, Thistledown Farms.

Gabbie Schloe has been awarded the Nursery Employee Award and is entering her first year at Oregon State University. Gabbie has spent many years at the family business, Swan Island Dahlias, and held various roles that will contribute to her success towards a degree in business.

Hannah Kruse has been awarded the Retail Chapter II Award. Hannah will be a sophomore at Corban University, where she is pursuing a degree in agriculture science with a business minor. She is highly interested in greenhouse production as well as having her own business.

Hilliary Montero has been awarded the Clackamas Chapter/Ed Wood Memorial Award. After working in public service for over a decade, Hilliary is following her passions professionally. She currently works as a grower at Fessler Nursery and is attending Clackamas Community College, where she is pursuing an associate degree in horticulture.

Landon Erbrick has been awarded the Mt. Hood Chapter II Award. Landon will be a senior at Auburn University, where he is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in horticulture and is president of the Auburn University Landscape and Nursery Association. He looks forward to the opportunity to work hands-on in the nursery and greenhouse horticulture industry.

Marcella Cross has been awarded the Royal Boltman Memorial Award. After earning her undergraduate degree at Cornell University, Marcella will enter the graduate program in botany at the University of British Columbia. Originally from Dallas, Oregon, Marcella continues to follow her dreams in furthering the field of horticulture through plant research.

Nate Bailey has been awarded the Clackamas Chapter Award. Currently attending American River College, where he is pursuing an associate degree, Nate plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in horticulture at a four-year institution. Nate has spent time as a seasonal worker in various positions at Smith Gardens, which furthered his interest in the horticulture industry.

Xavier Tacker has been awarded the Emerald Empire Chapter Award. Xavier will be a senior at Oregon State University, where he is pursuing a dual major in forest management and bioresource research and a minor in chemistry. Xavier was named a Barry Goldwater Scholar as a sophomore. This summer he is an intern with Corteva Agriscience.

Congratulations, students!

The Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Nurseries Foundation congratulate these students on their accomplishments thus far and wish them the best as they grow the future of the horticulture industry.

Join the ONF Committee

The ONF Committee is comprised of OAN members who serve a five-year term, with their fifth year as chair. Each year, we look to add a new OAN member to the committee. If you are interested in being on this committee, please contact Stephanie Weihrauch at 503-582-2001 or [email protected].

For more information about the ONF, please visit www.OAN.org/ONF.

From the August 2023 issue of Digger magazine | Download PDF