Sarah Leach
Universidad Estatal de Carolina del Norte
Beca Conmemorativa Harold Bettinger
& Fran Johnson Scholarship

Seventeen horticulture students have been awarded 2012 AFE becas, totaling more than $26,000.
“It is always rewarding to see how many amazing young people there are who love the floriculture industry, and we are very pleased to be able to help them continue along this career path,” said AFE’s Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison, of Ellison’s Greenhouses in Brenham, Texas.
AFE scholarships are administered annually, and applications are due by May 1st each year.
Beca de Ball Horticultural Company
Recipient: Heidi Wollaeger, Michigan State University
Wollaeger, a second-year Master’s student at Michigan State University, hopes to work in the floriculture industry as a grower or manager at a large greenhouse operation where she can test new products, conduct research or grow large-scale floriculture crops. “I plan to contribute to the floriculture industry by bringing my wide variety of skills…in order to innovate new products, and increase the efficiency and profitability of floriculture production. Above all, my passion for floriculture will be exuded in whichever career path I pursue,” says Wollaeger.
La beca de Ball Horticultural Company está destinada a estudiantes de tercer o cuarto año que persiguen carreras en floricultura comercial. Ball Horticultural Company es una corporación internacional de mejoramiento, producción y distribución involucrada en casi todas las facetas de la floricultura. Incluye: Ball y PanAmerican Seed, Ball FloraPlant, ColorLink, Ball Superior (Canadá) y Vegmo Plant, además de 11 empresas conjuntas en todo el mundo.
Harold Bettinger Memorial Scholarship & Fran Johnson Scholarship
Recipient: Sarah Leach, North Carolina State University
Leach, a senior at North Carolina State University hopes to share her love of horticulture with the public by working at a botanical garden. “I am interested in creating beautiful ornamental gardens for public display. I am especially interested in perennials and more cold-hardy annuals,” says Leach.
La beca Bettinger está destinada a estudiantes de horticultura, desde el segundo año hasta el nivel de posgrado, que tengan una especialización principal o secundaria en negocios y/o marketing con la intención de aplicar su educación a una carrera empresarial relacionada con la horticultura. Harold Bettinger fue socio de Bettinger Farms en Swanton, Ohio. A mediados de los años 50, fue uno de los primeros productores progresistas en convertir su producción de plantas de almácigo de charolas de madera a charolas de plástico. Actualmente, Bettinger Farms cultiva hortalizas en invernadero y en campo abierto.
Fran Johnson disfrutó de una larga y productiva carrera en John Henry Co., una empresa de impresión hortícola en Lansing, Míchigan. Fran también hizo muchas contribuciones significativas y prácticas de tiempo y talento a través de la asociación comercial BPI para promover la industria de los invernaderos. La Beca Fran Johnson se otorga a estudiantes que regresan a la escuela después de una ausencia de 3 a 5 años, que tienen interés en cultivos de temporada y/o florales.
Beca de Manejo Integrado de Plagas (IPM) y Prácticas Sustentables de BioWorks
Recipient: Stacey Haack, University of California, Davis
Haack, a senior at the University of California – Davis, hopes to work in an applied research setting within the floriculture industry. “My personal goal through this career choice is to aid in the development of ornamental and flower cultivars that make home gardening more accessible and successful even for those without a ‘green thumb,” says Haack.
La beca BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices está destinada a estudiantes que siguen una carrera en floricultura. Aunque no es obligatorio, es muy deseable que el estudiante esté interesado en promover el uso del Manejo Integrado de Plagas (“MIP”) o prácticas sostenibles, y se dará preferencia en esta área. Los estudiantes serán seleccionados sobre la base de un sólido rendimiento académico y un promedio de calificaciones de 3.0 o superior.
Beca en memoria de James Bridenbaugh
Recipient: Ryanna Zoellner, University of Georgia
Zoellner, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, hopes to serve in a management position at a horticulture or landscape company, or start her own wholesale production or retail florist shop. “I have been growing tropical indoor plants and garden plants since the sixth grade … I would like to join a horticultural firm, work my way though the ranks … and start my own business,” says Zoellner.
The Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship is for sophomore, junior, or senior students who are pursuing a career in floral design and marketing of fresh flowers and plants. Jim Bridenbaugh was a specialist in fresh flowers and plants, designing and commentating at design shows and seminars. His floral industry knowledge, comedic story-telling and audience rapport made him a favorite. Jim served as OFA president from 1989 to 1991.
Beca Memorial John Carew
Recipient: Jared Barnes, North Carolina State University
Barnes, a PhD candidate at North Carolina State University, hopes to be a college professor of horticulture to share his knowledge and passion and educate others about plants. “Horticulture has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The love for plants was instilled in me … at a very early age … and since my youth, gardening has been an integral part of my life, and my passion for plants has continued to grow,” says Barnes.
The Carew Scholarship is open to graduate students in horticulture, with an interest in greenhouse crops. John Carew, former head of the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, dedicated his career to encouraging and guiding young horticulturists. He was instrumental in establishing BPI in 1969.
Beca Conmemorativa Earl Dedman
Recipient: Tim Staudahar, University of Minnesota, Crookston
Staudahar, a junior at the University of Minnesota – Crookston, hopes to fulfill his career goal of becoming a manager at a nursery or wholesale grower operation. “Nearly all my life I have had a strong passion for growing and cultivating plants. For many years I have worked at a plant nursery and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of cultivating and selling plants,” says Staudahar.
La beca Earl Dedman se otorga a estudiantes interesados en convertirse en productores de invernadero, que son del noroeste de Estados Unidos y tienen estatus de estudiante de segundo, tercer o último año. Earl Dedman fue propietario y operador de Mountainview Greenhouses en Woodinville, Washington, y expresidente de BPFI. Earl consideraba que la educación y el trabajo duro eran las claves del éxito en la vida.
Beca de la Asociación de Cultivadores de Flores de Long Island
Recipient: Justin Kondrat, Cornell University
Kondrat, a junior at Cornell University, hopes to work in a public garden setting where he can educate the public on various horticulture topics. “With a passion to educate the public, I hope to broaden the minds of many through educational and scientific methods of horticulture,” says Kondrat.
The LIFGA Scholarship was established in 2010. LIFGA members represent growers and retailers promoting research, education, and sales of ornamentals in the local market. The LIFGA scholarship is intended for students in the Long Island/New York area studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or a four-year institution.
Markham-Colgrave International Scholarship
Recipient: Brooke Gasteyer, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Gasteyer, a senior at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, hopes to pursue her dream of working in a greenhouse growing a variety of bedding plants, perennials and ornamentals. “I have enjoyed growing flower and vegetable gardens since I was a child. My passion for plants continued to grow and I soon realized that I would like to major in horticulture. I participated in the Eco Tourism Study Tour in Costa Rica…and had the opportunity to study plants that I have never previously experienced,” says Gasteyer.
Ed Markham fue un horticultor internacional. Comenzó su carrera en el ámbito de las ventas de productos hortícolas tras graduarse en el Departamento de Horticultura de la Universidad de Cornell en 1942. El interés de Ed por ofrecer becas para estudiar marketing a través de viajes internacionales surgió a raíz de su primer viaje al extranjero a principios de la década de 1960. La Beca Internacional Ed Markham está destinada a funcionar en colaboración con la Fundación David Colegrave de Londres, Inglaterra. Cada año habrá un intercambio de estudiantes entre Estados Unidos y Europa, alternando entre ambos países. Se concederán becas por un importe de $3.500. Los estudiantes estadounidenses deberán solicitar esta beca en los años pares (2010, 2012, 2014, etc.).
Beca de la Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Invernaderos (NGMA)
Recipient: Amanda Wilkins, North Carolina State University
Wilkins, a senior at North Carolina State University, hopes to use her experience to work towards a career in sustainable development at a public garden. “I am interested in the effect of perennial border and intercropping herbs on pest management for vegetable production and orchid conservation,” says Wilkins.
The NGMA Scholarship targets students majoring in horticulture and bioengineering or the equivalent, and are at least a junior at an accredited four-year college maintaining a 3.0 GPA. NGMA is a professional trade organization for the manufacturers and suppliers of greenhouses and greenhouse components built to codes designed for a grower’s needs.
Beca Mike y Flo Novovesky
Recipient: Andrew Koeser, University of Illinois
Koeser, a father of two, and a PhD student at the University of Illinois, hopes to become a professor of horticulture at a university and focus on issues of sustainable horticulture production “I plan to continue generating and disseminating scientific knowledge in horticulture as a researcher and educator,” says Koeser.
The Novovesky Scholarship fund aims to help young married students who are working to put themselves through college and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Depending on the availability of married applicants, the scholarship may also go to an undergraduate working his or her way through school with financial need and family obligations. The keys are strong interest in horticulture and financial need. Mike and Flo Novovesky have enjoyed over 30 years of active participation in the floriculture industry. The Novovesky’s know first hand the hardships a young couple must overcome when balancing a career and family.
Beca Memorial James K. Rathmell Jr.
Recipient: Christopher Curry, Purdue University
Curry, a senior at Purdue University, hopes to continue working in research and education and will be pursuing this goal through collaboration at the University of Queensland, Australia. “My career goals are to combine education, outreach, and research to ensure the continued success and further the advancement of floriculture for consumers, industry and science,” says Curry.
The Rathmell Scholarship is awarded to junior or senior level undergraduates or graduate students who have a specific plan for horticulture work/study outside of the United States. Jim Rathmell was a horticulture extension specialist at Penn State University who promoted communication and cooperation with horticulturists in other countries. A widely published author, he worked with commercial growers to implement many outstanding educational programs.
Beca de Compañías de Semillas
Recipient: Kyle Vandenlangenberg, North Carolina State University
Vandenlangenberg, a PhD candidate at North Carolina State University, hopes to work in the seed industry, with a focus on small horticultural crops or novel ornamentals. “I have made it a career goal … to work for a seed company that will allow me … to breed for unique traits. One of my primary ideas involves breeding vegetables for the front-yard garden,” says Vandenlangenberg.
The Seed Companies Scholarship requires students to have a career goal within the seed industry and be junior or senior level undergraduates or graduate students. Seed Companies – Ball, Pan-American, Goldsmith and Novartis, are leaders in the seed production and breeding industry, providing new, improved varieties. These seed companies co-operatively sponsor this scholarship.
Beca John L. Tomasovic Sr.
Recipient: Elizabeth Brooks, University of Georgia
Brooks, a senior at the University of Georgia, hopes to become a grower or manager for a business that markets flower and plants for garden use. “My classes at UGA have allowed me to see some of the most beautiful gardens in Georgia, as well as the work that goes into growing those plants. I would like to help a company provide the best quality plants at the most reasonable price,” says Brooks.
The Tomasovic Scholarship offers special consideration for sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students with financial need and a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.5. John L. Tomasovic, Sr., past president of BPFI, is owner of his family business, Tomasovic Greenhouses & Nursery, Inc., in St. Louis, Missouri (formerly John L. Tomasovic, Sr., Inc.) which includes greenhouses from 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. They produce bedding plants, fall mums, ground covers, poinsettias, Easter lilies, and sell nursery stock and dry sales of bulbs. The business began with his father in 1931.
Beca Memorial Ed Tuinier
Recipient: Kathleen Van Driessche, Michigan State University
Recipient: Kyle Tuiner, Michigan State University
Van Driessche, a junior at Michigan State University, hopes to grow annuals and seasonal plants such as poinsettias. “My goal after I graduate is to find a job … at a medium to large production greenhouse where I can become the head grower,” says Van Driessche.
Tuinier, a senior at Michigan State University, hopes to expand upon his existing skills working in a greenhouse. “In the future I would like to know how to fully run a greenhouse yearlong so I can make a full time career of greenhouse operation,” says Tuiner.
La beca Tuinier se otorga a estudiantes universitarios de segundo, tercer o último año matriculados en el programa de floricultura de la Universidad Estatal de Míchigan. Ed Tuinier, propietario de Post Gardens, amaba el negocio de los invernaderos y convirtió su empresa en una de las 50 principales compañías de EE. UU., inspirando a sus hijos, todos los cuales trabajan en una de las dos sedes de Post Gardens. Graduado de la Universidad Estatal de Míchigan, Ed fue un importante benefactor del programa de horticultura y de los jardines de demostración de la MSU.
Beca de Mercadotecnia Jacob & Rita Van Namen
Recipient: Andrew Scruggs, North Carolina State University
Scruggs, a junior at North Carolina State University, hopes to start his own horticulture production business and own his own greenhouse facility to produce vegetable plants, bedding flowers, and hanging baskets. “During high school I had my own greenhouse business, where I grew a variety of vegetable plants and bedding plants … I would like to restart and expand this business,” says Scruggs.
La beca de mercadotecnia Jacob & Rita Van Namen, establecida en enero de 1997, requiere que los estudiantes tengan un interés profesional en el mercadotecnia agroindustrial y la distribución de productos florales, y que cursen el segundo, tercer o cuarto año de la universidad. Jacob Van Namen es un verdadero emprendedor que construyó un negocio multimillonario en la floricultura mayorista. Este premio tiene como objetivo desarrollar personas conocedoras y creativas para mejorar la industria de la floricultura.
Bud Ohlman Memorial Scholarship & Vocational (Bettinger, Holden & Perry) Scholarship
Recipient: Joshua Henry, The Ohio State University
Henry, a sophomore at The Ohio State University, hopes to own and operate his own greenhouse business where he plans to grow a variety of plants for wholesale and retail. “I’ve been interested in horticulture from a very young age, and as I have gained experience, my interest has grown stronger. I would like to begin a career working as a grower and eventually have my own greenhouses,” says Henry.
The Bud Ohlman Scholarship requires students have a career goal of becoming a bedding plant grower for an established business and have junior or senior status. Bud Ohlman was a hands-on grower in his family business, expanding the truck gardening operation to include greenhouses, bedding plant and flowering annuals production. During the off-season he coached expansion projects, even into his 70’s. Bud’s work ethic was second to none, inspired by his God, his family, and his industry.
The Vocational (Bettinger, Holden & Perry) Scholarship requires students to be in a 1 or 2 year program with the intent to become a grower or greenhouse manager. The Vocational Scholarship is awarded in honor of: Leonard Bettinger – a successful greenhouse grower in the Bettinger Farms family business in Toledo, Ohio, and was president of the BPI trade association from 1974-1976; John Holden – who had a long, helpful career at Ball Seed Co. and was active in the BPI trade association since its inception, attending the very first “pre-BPI” conference in 1968; and Jim Perry – a respected wholesale nurseryman who grew Perry’s Plants of La Puente, California into one of the largest bedding plat operations in the U.S and was president of BPI from 1972-1974.