San Francisco Horticulture Major Is First Recipient  of New CalFlowers Scholarship 

Capitola, CA – October 24, 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.

 “We see this scholarship – and Roamie’s use of it – as an investment in the future of the floriculture industry in California,” said Michael LoBue, CEO of CalFlowers.

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.”

The second year of the CalFlowers scholarship quickly approaches, and applicants are encouraged to watch for information about the application process on the American Floral Endowment (AFE) website in early 2019.  AFE is the administrator of the scholarship program.

About CalFlowers
CalFlowers (The California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers) is the leading floral trade association in California, providing valuable transportation benefits to all members, and bringing fresh cut flowers to new generations of American consumers. CalFlowers serves growers and the entire flower supply chain in California and in 47 states across the country.

About AFE
The American Floral Endowment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the floriculture and horticulture industry through funding research, educational grants and scholarships. Since 1961, more than $15 million has been funded in research and educational projects, and more than $2 million has been funded in scholarships and internships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. To learn more about AFE or make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.endowment.org.