Annual CalFlowers Scholarship Recipients
About The CalFlowers Scholarship:
The CalFlowers Scholarship is for undergraduate students attending an accredited California college or university (first priority) or an undergraduate California resident attending an accredited college or university elsewhere in the U.S. (second priority). Students applying for this scholarship do not need to be majoring in an agricultural program but must demonstrate a commitment to seeking employment in the floriculture industry after graduation. A work history or a meaningful internship experience in floriculture is necessary if the applicant is not obtaining an agricultural degree. Students should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 Carla Quimson, Cal Poly Pomona, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning CalFlowers 2023 Scholarship - $4,250
“This scholarship means that I can focus on my education and not worry about finances. Most importantly, it means that there are people like you who support and stand behind every student like me to succeed and to help better our future.”
Click Here to read the full press release from AFE and to see the full list of scholarship Recipients.
 Chelsea Flood - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Nutrition, Agriculture Education CalFlowers 2023 Scholarship - $4,250
“This scholarship will significantly fund my education at Cal Poly and allow me to keep working at the Poly Plant shop. Without this scholarship I would be much more stressed out about working to pay for my college, but I can instead enjoy the job I have while still being a full-time student. “
Click Here to read the full press release from AFE and to see the full list of scholarship Recipients.
Kiara Benavides, Agriculture Science Major is the fourth recipient of the CalFlowers Scholarship - 2021
 CalFlowers Scholarship — $6,400 Recipient: Kiara Benavides, California Polytechnic State University
Kiara Benavides (pictured left) is a senior at California Polytechnic State University, majoring in Agriculture Science with an Ornamental Horticulture emphasis and minoring in Agribusiness. Kiara is a leader in multiple organizations at her school. She clearly supports her goal of teaching floral design and ornamental horticulture in high school and being a Future Farmers of America career coach. While in school, Kiara works at Poly Plant Shop located at Cal Poly's Horticultural Unit. In this position, she produces custom floral pieces and arrangements for retail and sells custom bouquets and cut flowers at San Luis Obispo Farmers Markets. She is also employed as a field research assistant at the Cal Poly Strawberry Center that partnered with the California Strawberry Commission to increase the sustainability of the California Strawberry industry through research and education that addresses industry needs. Following graduation, Kiara plans to enroll in Cal Poly's Master of Agriculture Education program. Through this program, graduate students complete their master's degree, student teach, and receive their teaching credentials in one academic school year. “My absolute dream job is to become an Agriculture Teacher back home in the Central Valley. Teaching agriculture curriculum will allow me to teach floriculture courses,” said Kiara. “I aspire to introduce students to the industry and hopefully encourage some to pursue personal floriculture and horticulture endeavors!” The California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers (CalFlowers) was founded in 1941 by a small group of flower shipping companies to foster the success of the California floral industry. Today, CalFlowers is the leading floral trade association in California serving growers and the entire supply chain in CA and 47 other states across the country. The CalFlowers Scholarship is for undergraduate students attending an accredited California college or university or an undergraduate California resident attending an accredited college or university elsewhere in the United States.
Click Here to read the full press release from AFE and to see the full list of scholarship Recipients.
Nichole Davidson, of City College of San Francisco Student Is The Third Recipient of the CalFlowers Scholarship - 2020
 Nichole Davidson, (pictured left)a senior at City College of San Francisco, has been selected to receive the third annual CalFlowers Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded every year to an undergraduate student who demonstrates a commitment to working in the floriculture industry.
Nichole Davidson, expects to graduate in December, with an associate degree in Nursery and Garden-Center Operation and Commercial Cut Flower and Greenhouse Production. Following graduation, Davidson will seek a career in greenhouse and nursery management.
For the past two summers, Davidson has interned in Italy at Cascina Borgofrancone in Colico, and at Villa Boccanegra in Ventimiglia. She has served as a lab aide at the City College of San Francisco for three years. “My next step in education is to find and attend graduate school for ethnobotany. I am also writing a book on the edible and medicinal plants of the bay area and where to find them and how to grow them,” said Davidson. She plans for this to be the first of a series featuring various travel destinations.
Click here to see all of the AFE scholarship award winners.
Helene Dondero, Agricultural Science Major, Is The Second Recipient of the CalFlowers Scholarship - 2019
 Helene Dondero, a senior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), has been selected to receive the second annual CalFlowers Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded every year to an undergraduate student who demonstrates a commitment to working in the floriculture industry.
Dondero is a senior at Cal Poly majoring in agricultural science with an emphasis in ornamental horticulture and a minor in agricultural business. She grew up in the floral industry, working in her family’s business, Fiore Floral and Gifts, and participating in and leading numerous student and industry organizations at Cal Poly and with Future Farmers of America (FFA). She plans to return Cal Poly to complete a master’s degree in agricultural science after she graduates in the spring of 2020.
“My goal is to be an agricultural science teacher and FFA Advisor. I will be able to share my general knowledge of agriculture with my students, and the knowledge I’ve gained from my hands-on experience working in floral, wholesale, and growing operations,” said Dondero. “I feel that from this hands-on experience – and relationships I have built in the industry – I have a greater understanding of the vastness of the horticulture industry, and I look forward to sharing that with my students.”
Roamie Thatcher, Horticulture Major Is First Recipient of New CalFlowers Scholarship - 2018
 A City College of San Francisco student has been selected to receive the first annual CalFlowers Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded every year to an undergraduate student who demonstrates a commitment to working in the floriculture industry.
Roamie Thatcher, a San Francisco Botanical Gardens volunteer, private gardener, and community gardener, is the first to be awarded the $2000 scholarship.
“I have been gardening since I was seven years old, when I planted a fairy garden in my backyard. Next came raised beds and a community garden, and now I’m taking horticulture classes at City College of San Francisco and volunteering at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens,” said Roamie.
When asked about her future plans, Roamie replied, “I would like one day to own my own wholesale plant nursery that specializes in ancient and medicinal plants.”
About American Floral Endowment (AFE)
The American Floral Endowment( AFE) provides more scholarships in floriculture than any other organization to help attract, retain, and support young professionals in our industry. AFE scholarships act as a powerful catalyst for the next generation of floral industry leaders. Financial constraints can deter many students, but with the help of these scholarships, future industry leaders and innovators can access quality education and training, paving the way for a promising future in the floral industry.
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