Oregon Nurseries Foundation Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Oregon Nurseries Foundation
Introduction
The Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) provides scholarships to students preparing for careers in ornamental horticulture and related fields. There are 21 distinct awards, each underwritten by individual donors and OAN chapters, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Applicants may receive more than one scholarship, and previous recipients are welcome to apply again.
General eligibility notes
- Most scholarships require enrollment in or acceptance to a two- or four-year college program in horticulture or a closely related discipline. Specific degree level, school, or local ties vary by award and are noted below.
- Many awards give preference to applicants with Oregon connections (attendance at Oregon schools or graduation from Oregon high schools) or to those affiliated with particular OAN chapters or member firms.
- Where stated, preference may be given to family members or employees of OAN chapter members or member firms.
- Certain awards specify additional criteria such as intended career path, geographic origin, or current enrollment status; these are listed with each scholarship.
Scholarships (amounts and eligibility)
1. Arthur Spada Memorial Scholarship — $1,000
For students at four-year or community colleges majoring in horticulture or nursery-industry related fields. Preference to those who graduated high school in the Willamette Valley and plan to attend Oregon State University or a Willamette Valley community college.
2. Bill Egan Memorial Award — $2,000
For college students majoring in horticulture, with preference for greenhouse/floriculture specializations. Preference also given to family members and employees of the OAN Greenhouse/Retail Chapter.
3. Jack Bigej Memorial Scholarship — $1,000
Awarded to qualified students studying horticulture or related fields. Preference to students attending schools in Oregon.
4. Joseph H. Klupenger Award — $1,000
For students majoring in ornamental horticulture who intend to work in the ornamental industry, either as an employee or as part of a family business.
5. Larry Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship — $1,000
Available to college juniors or seniors majoring in ornamental horticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) or Oregon State University, with preference to Cal Poly students. Larry Fitzgerald was a Cal Poly graduate and a nursery-industry professional for over 35 years active in CAN, OAN, and IPPS; the recipient should be committed to entering the nursery industry and focusing on growing ornamental plant varieties.
6. Royal Boltman Memorial Award — $1,000
For students majoring in horticulture or botany. Preference to those attending Oregon schools.
7. Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award — $1,000
For four-year or community college students majoring in horticulture, floriculture, or turf-related studies who graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference to applicants who intend to work in a horticulture-related business, either as employees or as family members.
8. Woodburn Nursery Award I — $1,500
For four-year or community college students majoring in horticulture or related fields who graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference to Willamette Chapter members, their children, or employees of Willamette Chapter members.
9. Woodburn Nursery Award II — $1,500
For four-year or community college students majoring in horticulture or related fields who graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference to applicants who plan to work in the horticulture industry as employees or family business members.
10. Clackamas Chapter Award — $1,500
For students beginning college studies in an ornamental horticulture field.
11. Clackamas Chapter Ed Wood Memorial Award — $1,500
For students currently enrolled in a college horticulture program in Oregon. Applicants should provide letters of recommendation from nursery professionals or other individuals connected to the nursery industry (e.g., nurserymen, extension agents, instructors, OAN members, or nursery employees). Selection emphasizes the applicant’s promise and commitment to making significant contributions to the nursery industry.
12. Emerald Empire Chapter Award — $2,000
For junior or senior college students majoring in horticulture, landscape architecture, or landscape construction who graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference to candidates from the Emerald Empire (Eugene) area.
13. Mt. Hood Chapter Award I — $1,500
For college students majoring in ornamental horticulture. Preference to applicants from nursery areas east of Portland.
14. Mt. Hood Chapter Award II — $1,500
Same as Mt. Hood Chapter Award I: $1,500 to a college student majoring in ornamental horticulture, with preference for those from nursery areas east of Portland.
15. Retail Chapter Award I — $2,000
For students majoring in ornamental horticulture or related fields. Preference to children of OAN member retailers or to employees of those retailers.
16. Retail Chapter Award II — $2,000
For students majoring in ornamental horticulture and related fields (no additional preference specified).
17. Retail Chapter Award III — $2,000
For students majoring in ornamental horticulture and related fields (no additional preference specified).
18. Willamette Chapter Award — $2,000
For college students majoring in ornamental horticulture. Preference to Willamette Chapter members, their children, or employees of chapter members. The recipient is expected to attend a Willamette Chapter meeting to discuss career goals.
19. Nursery Employee Award — $3,000
For college students studying ornamental horticulture who are employed by an OAN member firm.
20. Nurseries Foundation Award — $3,000
For students majoring in horticulture.
21. Nurseries Memorial Award — $3,000
For advanced students in ornamental horticulture, with preference given to graduate-level applicants.
If you want, I can reformat this into an application checklist or a printable brochure layout, or produce short summaries suitable for a webpage or social post.