AmericanHort Names 2019 HortScholars
AmericanHort recently announced it has identified and supported six students with a passion and drive for the horticulture industry through the HortScholars program. Nearly 50 applications were submitted, making 2019 another record-breaking year for the program.
Josiah Bale is pursuing a degree in horticultural science at The Ohio State University, focusing on greenhouse and nursery management. From a young age, he has had a passion for plants, which led him to complete several internships in different segments of the horticulture industry, including: a wholesale nursery, retail garden center, and even a non-profit aquaponic facility.
Kalyn Helms is attending University of Arkansas, majoring in horticulture, landscape, and turf Science with an emphasis in greenhouse production, with a German minor. She works as an undergraduate research assistant in greenhouse production. After graduation, she hopes to do research on sustainable alternatives in the field of floriculture.
Marcus Jansen is working on his master’s at Iowa State University, researching the physiological responses and performance of peach and nectarine trees grown in a high tunnel production system compared to a conventional field production system. He has held internships with Bachmans Inc., the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and Ball Horticultural Co.
Andrew Kielion is a student in the Horticulture Program at College of DuPage, pursuing a horticulture AAS, Greenhouse Management certificate, and Sustainable Urban Agriculture certificate. His interest in plant breeding led to his employment at the College of DuPage Greenhouse and PanAmerican Seed Research Co. He is even working on a few capsicum hybrids in his home garden.
Annika Kohler is a master’s student at Michigan State University, studying herb and ornamental production in controlled environments. Her passion for horticulture is led by her drive to produce edible and ornamental crops sustainably without compromising quantity or quality. With a background in both organic field production and controlled environments, she hopes to become a research technician for a controlled environment company.
Felicia Millet has worked as an arborist in Connecticut for the past seven years. This year, she enrolled in the University of Connecticut’s associate degree program in plant science, concentrating on ornamental horticulture, to learn more about ornamental trees and shrubs in the New England region. Her interest in finding replacements for invasive species in the landscape has led her to become more involved in nursery production and plant propagation.
The HortScholars program offers a beyond-the-classroom experience, giving insight and awareness of the industry and its supply chain, and where they might find a home for their passion. With a focus on professional development, the HortScholars will attend educational sessions, network, and work with industry mentors during Cultivate’19.
The HortScholars will be giving Ignite! presentations at Cultivate’19 on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m. in the Knowledge Center on the trade show floor.
For more information, visit www.americanhort.org.
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