The American Floral Endowment awards Caleb Spall, a senior in Horticulture, the Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship and Edward Tuinier Memorial Scholarship.
A senior majoring in Horticulture with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Spall is interested in the use of LED lighting fixtures in floriculture. “By integrating LED lighting fixtures in floriculture rather than the traditional HPS lamp systems, a tremendous amount of energy — typically lost as heat from HPS lamps — can be saved,” explains Spall. Caleb has been very involved in the Student Horticulture Association, this year serving as their grower for the Spring Show.
After graduation, Spall hopes to study at the Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands where he will continue his studies into the effects of LED lighting on horticultural crop growth. Following earning his master’s degree, Spall would like to work for either a private or public extension service in the United States, providing expert consultation to the industry and also continue to perform research. “I believe that by decreasing energy expenditure and waste production, the green industry can positively impact the environment while continuing to produce high-value crops for consumers,” said Spall.
Spall was awarded the Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship, which is intended for junior or senior students pursuing a career in commercial floriculture, and the Edward Tuinier Memorial Scholarship, awarded to sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate students enrolled in the floriculture program at MSU.
Owner of Post Gardens Greenhouses, Ed Tuinier loved the greenhouse business, building his firm to one of the top 50 U.S. companies and inspiring his children, all of whom work in one of the two Post Gardens locations. A graduate of MSU, Tuinier was a major benefactor of the MSU horticulture program and demonstration gardens.