PLANT WNY Foundation
Horticulture Scholarships

Horticultural Scholarship

Applicants will be considered for one of three scholarships when applying with one application:  The George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac Memorial Scholarship, The Fred Howarth Memorial Scholarship, and the Mary Schichtel Memorial Scholarship.  There is also a scholarship for high school seniors -  see below for Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship.

The George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac Memorial Scholarship is named after garden industry leaders through the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Together George and Kenneth started Buffalo Garden Supply in 1953 and operated very successfully until they sold it and retired in 1965.  Kenneth Isaac was the first Man of the Year recipient of the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association. George O. Adam’s family continues to support the scholarship fund each year in memory of George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac.

The Fred Howarth Memorial Scholarship is named after Fred Howarth, a very active member of Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association. Fred was a president of the Association (1968), recipient of the Man of the Year Award (1975) and one of the founders of the WNY Nurserymen’s Association Foundation.  Fred was former owner and president of Menne Nursery.

Mary Schichtel Memorial Scholarship is named after Mary Schichtel.  Mary Schichtel was the backbone of Schichtel's Nursery throughout her lifetime. The very busy mother of seven left a lasting impression on everyone she met and was able to establish and maintain countless relationships thanks to the nursery industry.  The path Mary and her husband, George Schichtel, paved in the nursery industry has been carried on through many of their children and their grandchildren.  The Schichtel families are honored to have Mary's legacy continue to carry on with this scholarship.

Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship (for high school seniors only)

The Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship is given to a student who has a passion for horticulture and leadership skills just as Mr. Martino had. Mr. Martino taught horticulture at McKinley High School from 1935-1971 and wrote a weekly column in the Buffalo News. The scholarship is available to a high school senior who will be furthering their education in horticulture or a related field.   Applications should fill out the same online application listed below as it pertains to them as a student.  Not everything will be applicable.

Scholarship Program and Eligibility

Objectives - The Western New York Nurserymen’s Association Foundation, Inc.   (“WNYNAF, INC.”), will assist through scholarships, the education of interested and qualified students permanently residing within the boundaries of the Western New York State Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.  (Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties) who are likely to pursue careers in the Nursery/Landscape Industry.

Policies - The number and amount of scholarship awards will be determined annually by the Foundation Trustees from budgeted funds made available through income from investments.  No one institution is guaranteed a scholarship.

Procedures – In January of each year, the Foundation Trustees shall define the number and amount of scholarship grants to be offered.

All applications shall be submitted to the committee (Foundation Trustees) before June 21, 2024 for fall 2024 semester or November 21, 2024 for spring 2025 semester and final selection will be made by the Western New York Nurserymen’s Association Foundation Inc.

The process of selection will be administered by the Foundation Trustees in compliance with previously set policies.  If a member of the Foundation Trustees is related to or noted on application as a provider, employer, instructor, reference, or for any reason may feel that they may not be able to render an unbiased decision, they will remove themselves from the selection process for that individual(s) or as long as necessary.

Scholarship grants shall be credited against the recipient’s tuition in accordance to the institutions Bursar’s Office requirements but no later than the end of the calendar year.

Scholarships shall be awarded to the most deserving students who best meet the eligibility criteria and who are enrolled in a horticultural related program at an accredited college.  Awards shall be Non-discriminatory with respect to race, color, sex, religion, age or national origin.

Funds will be awarded only after the recipient has been verified to be enrolled full time at the accredited institution.  The funds will be dispersed directly to the Bursar’s Office for credit against the recipient’s tuition in accordance with the college’s requirements but no later than the end of the calendar year.

Eligible students may receive a maximum of two (2) WNYNAF, Inc. scholarships during their college career.

Please Note:  Applications must be typed/submitted online.  Handwritten applications may not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria - Though not requirements, the following guidelines will be considered for students seeking scholarship eligibility:

1. Enrollment in a horticultural related program at the accredited college
2. Academic excellence
3. Recommendation from a member firm
4. Having worked in a nursery/landscape related industry, preferably with our region
5. Financial need
6. Professor recommendation
7. Extracurricular activities in school and community
8. Essay written on application as to importance of his/her scholarship toward

 attaining future goals

9. Show a positive desire to work in region 6.