The David Colegrave Foundation, which supports students in horticulture, has already helped out many horticulturists of the future.
Last year, eight students who were looking for a career in horticulture were selected to receive £8500 worth of scholarships by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF).
Here, four of them talk about what happened after they received their funds:
Enjoy more Kitchen Garden Magazine reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
George Laws, who received the South West Growers Show Sponsored Scholarship, has been able to secure a job immediately after graduation in the research and development department of a sustainable production systems business. George hopes other prospective students manage to gain this scholarship. He says: “It has greatly improved my independence and career prospects for the future.”
Emma Mcfarlane (pictured above), who received a Student Scholarship, said. “This scholarship has been an invaluable help to me as it hasn’t just supported me financially, it has also given me confidence that changing my career to horticulture was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Thank you.”
Caroline Power, who also received a Student Scholarship, has now successfully completed her first year in horticulture at CAFRE Greenmount College, and hopes to continue on the same successful path. As part of her ongoing studies she hopes to develop her knowledge in hydroponics and research into alternative hydroponic growing media, which sparked her interest in modern growing techniques and crop quality management.
Gabor Lukoviczki (pictured below) received the British Protected Ornamentals Association (BPOA) – Peter Seabrook Bursary.
Gabor has now worked with more than 600 varieties and developed a knowledge of their needs and treatments. The bursary gave him the opportunity to continue his study in horticultural production. Since receiving his bursary, Gabor has had the opportunity to travel, and further his studies with a QA Award, First Aid at Work and purchasing his own text books. Gabor hopes to develop his knowledge of horticultural diseases and the treatment of them and then to learn about the different types of pests and biological controls there are too.
Jeff Colegrave, DCF chairman, says: “This year’s scholarship season drew in applications from students studying at 19 colleges across the UK. Those awarded are all a great investment with interests that include pests and diseases, organic growing methods, sustainability, hydroponics, plant pathology and crop management.”
More than £57,000 worth of scholarships have been awarded in the past five years to students studying at 14 UK colleges. The current scholarship season is open for students to apply for funding, and it closes on January 31 next year.
The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) is a registered charity supporting the development of students studying horticulture in the UK. It champions careers in commercial, production or retail ornamental horticulture by offering scholarships to these future horticulturists. To date, more than £100,000 has been awarded.
David Colegrave was one of Britain’s leading seedsmen, founding the UK’s largest ornamental seed company, Colegrave Seeds (now Ball Colegrave). During his career, he took a keen interest in supporting and promoting the development of young people, and it was with this in mind that the foundation was launched shortly after his death.
The David Colegrave Foundation is administered by the Horticultural Trades Association. For more information on the winners and scholarships visit www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk
