March 15, 2024
Landscape and horticulture scholarships
Providing financial support to future industry leaders, innovators and influencers
The industry’s identification of their ongoing need to attract skilled workers to the horticultural trade has resulted in an impressive line-up of scholarship funds made available annually by the Foundation. In 2024, a total of 48 scholarships amounting to nearly $58,000 from 11 different programs were awarded.
Providing scholarships is particularly close to the hearts of Foundation supporters who point with pride to the many recipients who are now successful industry members. These awards have enabled a diverse mix of talented and dedicated apprentices, technicians, designers, landscape architects, researchers and more to contribute to the advancement of horticulture and promote environmental stewardship.
Scholarship value is more than just money
Being awarded a scholarship can have a significant impact on students. Craig Klomp received a $1,000 Post-Graduate scholarship in 2022 while pursuing his Master's in Landscape Architecture at University of Guelph, and says that financial support allowed him to focus on his learning. “I’m really grateful to Landscape Ontario [and the Foundation] for the opportunity. The scholarship has been a huge, huge benefit,” Craig said. “We all know education is extremely expensive and so the scholarship allows for the opportunity to really engage with education at the forefront and not have to worry about financial strains of living and paying tuition.”Katie Erickson was one of 12 recipients of the $1,000 Post-Secondary scholarship awarded in 2022. Katie, who had been encouraged by her professors to apply for the scholarship, said the award helped fund her final year of the Landscape Design Advanced Diploma program at Fanshawe College, but also helped validate her skills and talents. “When I received my scholarship, I felt like I had been recognized for all my hard work and efforts in the Landscape Design program,” Katie said. “It was an honour to be a recipient of this award.”
Keegan Stribbell was awarded a $600 Apprenticeship Scholarship while completing his second year of the Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Program (HTAP). To be considered for the scholarship, Keegan was required to be enrolled in an accredited apprenticeship program and submit a two-page essay about his interests and experience in the horticultural profession.
Now that Keegan has completed the apprenticeship, he hopes to eventually write the Red Seal exam to continue to develop his career toward leadership roles. He offers this advice to others pursuing the green trades: “Every day you will learn something new; never be afraid to take risks and ask questions. The world is literally in your hands and it is you who will continue to mould the beautiful landscapes that will last for years to come.”
Get ready to apply and nominate
Each year the Foundation offers a number of Post-Secondary, Post-Graduate and Apprenticeship scholarships. The total number of scholarships awarded in a given year are determined by the number of applications received. All applicants must reside in Ontario.If you’re a student in a related field of study, visit the Foundation’s website, OHTF.ca, to learn more about each scholarship and eligibility criteria. You may apply for multiple scholarships with a single submission.
If you’re a landscape or horticultural program coordinator, you can nominate your exceptional full-time students with leadership qualities for a Cullen Family Scholarship. The Cullen Scholarships are awarded to contribution-oriented candidates who demonstrate integrity, honesty, perseverance and initiative and who care about their fellow students, teachers, community and industry.
The deadline to apply or nominate for this year’s awards is June 30, 2024. If you have any questions please contact: scholarships@ohtf.ca.
Keep the legacy alive
The Foundation would like to thank all of its donors who generously support the scholarship program. A list of supporters can be found on the Foundation’s website, OHTF.ca, along with annual reports and a secure way to make a donation. A donation is an easy and effective way to support Ontario’s horticultural community. The Foundation is a registered charity and all donations will receive a tax receipt.It started with a letter…
In March 1978, members of the Landscape Ontario Research Committee (Neil Vanderkruk, Joerg Leiss, John Northwood and Burke McNeill), wrote a letter that appeared in Landscape Ontario magazine recommending that a foundation be established to help fund various industry research projects.The committee noted it was looking into a method in which monies donated would be placed in a trust fund for use on research projects. The letter suggested a number of methods could be used to raise the money for the trust.
The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation became an official entity in 1979 and scholarships were added to the list of Foundation efforts.
The very first scholarship was awarded to Dennis Wale, a student with the highest standing at Humber College on March 27, 1981.