Powering the workforce pipeline through the HRI Scholarship Program

As experienced growers retire and operations grow more complex, horticulture businesses are asking a critical question: who is coming next?

Plants may be the product, but people are the engine of the horticulture industry. From nursery and greenhouse production to landscape design, and plant breeding to plant health, businesses across the green industry depend on skilled, well-trained professionals. As workforce shortages and operational demands grow, building and sustaining a dependable pipeline of industry-ready talent is a top priority.

Deliberate investment in the future workforce
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) Scholarship Program makes a deliberate investment in that pipeline. During the 2025–2026 academic year, HRI awarded $62,000 in scholarship support to 18 students pursuing horticulture-related degrees at institutions across the country. These scholarships, funded by generous donors, are not simply financial aid; they represent a commitment to build industry infrastructure through investments in the people who will make up the green industry in the years ahead.

Scholarships built for industry careers
The HRI Scholarship Program is intentionally designed to empower students pursuing careers in the green industry. That includes students like Ella May, recipient of the Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship, who is preparing for a career in greenhouse production, with a focus on science-based growing practices that improve efficiency and plant performance.

Others, such as Landon Erbrick, recipient of the Dennis & Harriet Walters Memorial Scholarship, are pursuing advanced horticulture degrees with plans to work in commercial greenhouse and nursery operations where they'll bring technical expertise and management skills directly into production environments.

For James Hines IV, recipient of the John B. & Elizabeth Wight Memorial Scholarship and a first-year horticulture student at Tennessee Tech, education is directly tied to succession planning. "My goal is to honor my family's legacy by modernizing our business practices and introducing more sustainable solutions for the future," he writes, reflecting the commitment many scholarship recipients bring to strengthening family-owned nursery businesses.

Students pursuing business and market-facing roles are also represented. Paul Crocker, recipient of the Susie & Bruce Usrey Education Scholarship, is preparing for a career in horticultural sales, marketing, and business development, areas that are increasingly critical as companies compete for customers and talent alike.

Reflecting the full scope of the industry
The HRI Scholarship Program is supported by a portfolio of endowed funds, each reflecting different priorities within the horticulture industry. Scholarships such as the Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship, the Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship, the Gunter Mecking Memorial Scholarship, and the Spring Meadow – Proven Winners Scholarship collectively support students across production, plant science, landscape architecture, and business disciplines.

This year's Spring Meadow – Proven Winners Scholarship recipients, for example, include students pursuing woody plant production and plant breeding and improvement, fields that directly influence product quality, availability, and market success. These disciplines play a critical role in helping green industry businesses meet customer demand while adapting to changing production and market conditions.

For Katelyn Boyce, recipient of the Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship and a graduate student in plant breeding at The Ohio State University, that intersection of innovation and application is central to her career goals. "I'm deeply committed to horticulture because I see it as both an art and a science—one that brings joy to people while also addressing larger environmental concerns," she explains, reflecting the blend of technical expertise and industry awareness that defines many HRI scholars.

Attracting talent to the industry
For students deciding where to commit their time and energy, scholarships send a simple, important message: the horticulture industry wants you. The HRI Scholarship Program reinforces horticulture as a viable, long-term career path by showing students that industry leaders are willing to invest in their success. That early signal plays a real role in attracting talent and keeping it pointed toward careers in horticulture.

By easing financial pressure, HRI scholarships allow students to focus on learning, skill development, and career preparation, ensuring they enter the workforce ready to contribute, rather than simply credentialed. For businesses, that translates into graduates who understand industry expectations and are prepared to step into operational roles with confidence.

Building the future, together
The growth of the HRI Scholarship Program reflects a shared belief among donors that workforce development is essential to the industry's future. Reaching $62,000 in scholarship support this year marks an important milestone; one only made possible by the individuals, families, and companies who believe in investing in people.

The 2025–2026 HRI Scholarship Program recipients represent the next generation of growers, managers, designers, and business professionals who will help shape horticulture in the years ahead. As workforce demands continue to evolve, sustained investment in emerging professionals will remain essential to the industry's long-term competitiveness and growth.

Applications for the 2026–2027 HRI Scholarship Program open March 1.