Oregon Nurseries Foundation Scholarship Program

The Oregon Nurseries Foundation (ONF) awards scholarships to students preparing for a career in ornamental horticulture and related fields. In all, 21 different awards — ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 — are sponsored by individuals and OAN chapters as a way to support the next generation of green industry professionals. Applicants may be awarded more than one scholarship. Past recipients are encouraged to reapply.

Arthur Spada Memorial Scholarship:

$1,000 to a four-year or community college student who is majoring in Horticulture or other Nursery Industry-related fields.  Preference will be given to applicants who have graduated from High School in the Willamette Valley and plan to attend Oregon State University or community college in the Willamette Valley.  

Bill Egan Memorial Award:

$2,000 to a college student majoring in horticulture with preference given to greenhouse/floriculture areas. Preference will be given to family members and employees of the OAN Greenhouse/Retail Chapter.

Jack Bigej Memorial Scholarship:

$1,000 to a qualified student majoring in horticulture or related fields. Preference will be given to students attending Oregon schools.

Joseph H. Klupenger Award:

$1,000 to a student majoring in ornamental horticulture who plans to work in the ornamental industry either as an employee or as a family member of a business

Larry Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 to a college junior or senior who is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Oregon State and majoring in Ornamental Horticulture.  Preference will be given to applicants attending Cal Poly.  Larry Fitzgerald graduated from Cal Poly and was in the nursery industry for over 35 years, active in CAN, OAN and IPPS.  He would share his knowledge with anyone who asked and was considered a "Walking Western Garden Book".  The recipient of this scholarship should be dedicated to entering the nursery industry specifically growing ornamental plant varieties.

Royal Boltman Memorial Award:

$1,000 to a qualified student majoring in horticulture or botany. Preference will be given to students attending Oregon schools.

Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award:

$1,000 to a four-year or community college student majoring in horticulture, floriculture or turf related studies who graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference goes to a student who intends to work in a horticulture related industry, either as an employee or as a family member of a business.

Woodburn Nursery Award I:

$1,500 to a four-year or community college student majoring in horticulture or related fields who also graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference will be given to a Willamette Chapter member, member’s child or an employee of a Willamette Chapter member.

Woodburn Nursery Award II:

$1,500 to a four-year or community college student majoring in horticulture or related fields who also graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference goes to a student who intends to work in a horticulture-related industry, either as an employee or as family member of a business.

Clackamas Chapter Award:

$1,500 to a student beginning college studies in an ornamental horticulture field.

Clackamas Chapter Ed Wood Memorial Award:

$1,500 to a student currently enrolled in a college horticulture program in Oregon. Scholarship award will be based on letters of recommendation from nursery professionals or people affiliated with the nursery industry, including nurserymen, extension, instruction, OAN members and any individual employed by a nursery. Applicants will be evaluated on the promise and commitment they show toward making significant future contributions to the nursery industry.

Emerald Empire Chapter Award:

$2,000 to a junior or senior college student majoring in horticulture, landscape architecture or landscape construction who also graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference will be given to a student from the Emerald Empire (Eugene) area.

Mt. Hood Chapter Award I and II:

$1,500 (each) to a college student majoring in ornamental horticulture. Preference will be given to applicants from nursery areas east of Portland.

Retail Chapter Award I:

$2,000 to a student majoring in ornamental horticulture and related fields. Preference will be given to students who are a son/daughter of an OAN member retailer, or one of their employees.

Retail Chapter Award II and III:

$2,000 (each) to a student majoring in ornamental horticulture and related fields.

Willamette Chapter Award:

$2,000 to a college student majoring in ornamental horticulture. Preference will be given to a Willamette Chapter member, member's child or an employee of a Willamette Chapter member. Recipient will be required to attend a Willamette Chapter meeting to discuss his or her career goals.

Nursery Employee Award:

$3,000 to a college student in ornamental horticulture who is employed by an OAN member firm.

Nurseries Foundation Award:

$3,000 to a student majoring in the field of horticulture.

Nurseries Memorial Award:

$3,000 to advanced student in ornamental horticulture.  Preference given to graduate-level student.