Proven Winners believes it is their responsibility to look to the future of not only their own brand, but the green industry as a whole. In their pursuit of ensuring its success and growth, they can’t help but seek out the next generation of innovators and leaders that will usher the industry into the future. They recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in three distinct areas of study—plant breeding, growing and horticultural marketing—and award scholarships to those whose philosophies most align with their own. Since the inception of this program in 2014, they are increasingly encouraged by the talent and enthusiasm demonstrated by their applicant pool. The future of horticulture is certainly looking bright.
This year, they received applications from over 100 bright young men and women enrolled in four-year colleges and universities, graduate programs, and technical or 2-year post-secondary programs. After much deliberation, they are ready to announce the 2019 scholarship recipients.
New flowers and plants are the lifeblood of the industry. Today’s consumer is increasingly conscious about chemical use however still demands ease of maintenance when looking to beautify their home landscape. Proven WInners are excited to announce the winner of the Innovations in Plant Breeding Scholarship, Andrej Svyantek (North Dakota State University) who is actively working to meet that demand while “striving to create fruit, flowers, and ground-covers that are morphologically unique and pleasing to the heart and soil”.
Quality plant material produced by talented and hard-working growers is absolutely essential for success, no matter the brand. But does the meaning of “quality” extend beyond healthy, well-performing plants? Katelin Borden (University of Florida) certainly seems to think there is. She claims that she wants to grow “new plants using advancements in propagation and tissue culture to nourish, beautify, heal, improve our world and educate the people in it.” Proven Winners are proud to award Katelin the Grower Excellence Scholarship and support her as one of the next generations of great plantsmen and women.
A passion for plants will only take you so far in securing future market growth. That is why Proven Winners recognizes the importance of horticultural marketing. Renata Goossen (Kansas State University) said it best: “Even though horticulture is an old industry, it is also fast-changing. Innovative and new products are necessary to compete in such a vast industry”. Her desire is to create a broad representation of the horticulture industry on multiple levels. Renata will be the recipient of the Innovations in Horticultural Marketing Scholarship award for 2019.
Many horticulture students begin their post-secondary schooling at 2-year or vocational schools as a way to enter the workforce sooner. Since horticulture tends to be a very hands-on career with much knowledge gained through work experience, this is an excellent way to break into the industry. Proven Winners will support five exemplary students who have chosen this route for their schooling and wish them the best of success for the future.