Love Trees? Scholarships Available for Students to Attend the MAC-ISA Annual Meeting & Trade Show at Turf Valley ~ Oct 5-7

 Every year MAC-ISA awards full scholarships to college students to attend the MAC-ISA Annual Meeting Trade Show on Oct 5-7 at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, MD. This is a conference for tree care professionals. Scholarships cover the registration fee and up to 2 nights of lodging for eligible students. Applicants must be a current chapter member (it is free, but students need to sign up for membership online) and be currently enrolled in an arboriculture, urban forestry, horticulture or related program.

 

At the Annual Meeting, students are paired with mentors who will provide guidance regarding careers in their area of interest and introduce them to other professionals in the field. It is a great networking experience and the chance to attend two full days of educational sessions, workshops and demonstrations.  For your information I have attached a copy of the draft program/schedule.

 

Here is a link to the website with scholarship application form: Scholarships offered by MAC-ISA | Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Please share with anyone who may be interested in applying. The deadline to apply is Sept 13^th.

IPPS ER 2023 Annual Conference and Scholarship

 

Sheraton Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
September 26-29, 2023 (Tuesday - Friday)

The International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) Eastern Region offers scholarships for qualifying students to cover registration costs for our Annual Conferences. Students may apply for a scholarship to attend for 1,2,3 or all 4 days of the event.

The annual conference is a fantastic opportunity to network and build invaluable relationships with the best in the business from across the country. The four day conference consists of behind-the-scenes-tours to local nurseries and botanic gardens as well as an educational session of thought-provoking talks by industry experts and business professionals. A poster session, plant auctions and time to socialize round out the event.

A generous number of student scholarships are available. The estimated value of the scholarships varies from $75 to $500 depending on the length of attendance. This is not
a cash award but a complimentary registration. Students are responsible for their own travel and overnight accommodations. [Meredith's note: you can apply for IAA Enhancement Funds to cover these costs!]

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Candidate must be enrolled in a horticulture or other plant-related program of study and be an active student at the time of the conference.
• Candidate must fill out the application in its entirety, including a faculty reference.
• Candidate must be a Student Member of the IPPS Eastern Region. Student membership is free – click this link to join.
• IPPS members receive a monthly electronic newsletter plus unlimited downloads from the Combined Proceedings of our worldwide annual conferences.

Scholarship Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdraG8-8TEr5mIOaCCQXmil-0XufWkRnZ24nA18Cc4HrxRNXA/viewform?pli=1

Tree planting for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

 My name is Hailey Papagjika and I am the Maryland Restoration Assistant Intern with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I am reaching out to let you know about multiple volunteer events that we have planned for the month of April.

On April 1st we will be planting 1,000 native trees and shrubs on seven acres of state park land in the Patuxent River Watershed. The location for the event is the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Prince George's County. If you are interested in coming out to help, you can register through our website here. 

On April 15th we will be planting over 1,000 native trees and shrubs on approximately five acres on a farm in Frederick County close to Gathland State Park. If you are interested in coming out to help, you can register through our website here. 

On April 21st & 22nd we will be planting more than 1,000 native trees and shrubs on six acres in Frederick County to protect the Middle Creek tributary to Catoctin Creek, which flows into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. If you are interested in coming out to help, you can register through our website for Friday, the 21st and Saturday the 22nd.

Our goal in doing this is to create a buffer which will protect the waterway from runoff and contamination, as well as to encourage the community to be engaged and informed in the benefits of regenerative agriculture and the role it plays in improving soil and water quality.

 

On the event days, the holes for the trees will be pre-augured to ensure the planting goes as smoothly as possible, but they are big events that we could not complete without the assistance of people like you who are willing to give us a hand! 

Greenhouse & Nursery Manager - Lewisburg, WV Job Oppritunity

 Position: Greenhouse and Nursery Manager

Organization: Appalachian Headwaters

Location: Lewisburg, West Virginia

Position Overview:

Appalachian Headwaters is a nonprofit organization focused on restoration of native ecosystems and environmental education in central Appalachia. We have two sites, each with a green house and a shade house. These sites also include hundreds of acres of open growing space. These sites include (1) a 100-acre park and environmental center, and (2) a 100-acre camp property. We also have an experienced grounds crew and grounds crew manager. The Greenhouse and Nursery Manager will help guide Headwaters’ native plant horticulture program, directing the plants we grow and how we care for them.

Headwaters started its native plant nursery in 2018 to grow native plants and seeds for its mined land restoration, environmental education, and pollinator gardens. Planting nursery stock from seed collected from central Appalachia will contribute to success of our projects.

The Greenhouse and Nursery Manager will be responsible for:

• managing the plant production at our sites,
• planting and maintaining plants at educational and restoration sites,
• working with nursery program staff,
• plant propagation and care,
• helping direct grounds maintenance and invasive species removal at Headwaters’ properties,
• some community education programs,
• other activities that fit the staff’s talents and organizational needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A bachelors’ degree, master’s degree, or comparable experience in Horticulture, Agronomy, greenhouse management, or a related field;
• Experience in a greenhouse (required);
• At least two years’ experience in nursery work and horticulture;
• Knowledge of native plant horticulture;
• Compatible with our program mission, including a dedication to environmental protection, organic plant growing and restoration of native ecosystems;

 

Compensation: Full time salaried position with excellent benefits including up to 10% retirement match and fully paid medical insurance.

Position will be based in Lewisburg, West Virginia

Organization websites: www.appheadwaters.org

Please submit a resume and cover letter to kasquith@appheadwaters.org. 

Position open until filled.

Start date: ASAP

NCGA Scholarships

 

The National Corn Growers Association is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences: 

Technical School / Community College Scholarship Program Five $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing a degree at a technical school or community college.

William C. Berg Academic Excellence Scholarship Five $1,500 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in any field, provided by BASF Corporation and NCGA.

Graduate Student Scholarship Program Two $2,500 scholarship for graduate student whose area of study will benefit the corn sector.

Students or a parent/guardian must be a member of the NCGA. Past scholarship winners and employees and the families of employees of any division of BASF or their subsidiaries or the NCGA are not eligible for the scholarship.

The scholarship application deadline is Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

In addition to these programs offered at a national level, many State Corn Associations also offer scholarship opportunities to students from their state. 

Visit ncga.ws/scholarship

More GCA Scholarships

 

For more information go to: https://www.gcamerica.org/scholarships

Love & Carrots Garden Installation Crew Member Job Opening

Who we are:
Love & Carrots is DC’s foremost urban farming and edible landscaping company. We design, install and maintain organic urban farms, vegetable gardens, and native landscapes across DC, MD, and VA. Through our garden care & coaching program we provide expert garden maintenance, guidance, and education in almost 150 gardens every year, helping connect people to their food and inspiring local food production and farming inside the beltway. Since our inception in 2011 we've installed over 500 gardens and our clients include residents, local restaurants, and community organizations throughout the DMV.

The job:
We are seeking full or part-time landscape installation crew members to join our team.
Installation crew members work 10 hour days, 4 days/week (Monday - Thursday) during the regular season. 5 days/week in the winter.

Installation tasks Include:

• Landscape installation - planting, edging, pruning, etc. (excluding lawn care)
• Basic carpentry: building raised beds and trellises, simple fence assembly
• Loading/driving trucks
• Hauling mulch/soil/filling wheelbarrows
• Installing drip irrigation systems
• Planting vegetables, small perennials, trees and shrubs
• Digging post-holes
• Basic stepping stone pathways (dryset only)

Necessary Qualifications:

• The ability to lift, dig, haul and generally work hard.
• A valid driver's license and working personal vehicle required.
• Experience with carpentry
• The ability to work as part of a close knit team while following directions. Also, to work independently, take initiative, and lead as necessary.
• Attention to detail and organization

Preferred Experience in: (not required, but strongly favored)

• Landscaping
• Carpentry
• Gardening/farming 

Compensation:

• Hourly pay based on experience (starting at $16-$20/hr), plus a Signing Bonus
• Full benefits package: health and dental insurance, 401k, and 3 weeks+ paid time off.
• Opportunity for seasonal bonuses, based on performance.
• Our office/headquarters has an on-site vegetable garden for staff use!

Interested? Email a brief letter of interest and resume to: hannah@loveandcarrots.com

Capital Area Food Bank Garden Fellow Position

Capital Area Food Bank is currently hiring for a garden fellow. This position will provide the fellow with the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of the issues surrounding food insecurity in the DMV Area. While working with our nutrition education team, he/she will get an in-depth look into various programs and approaches that are being deployed directly by the Food Bank and indirectly through food assistance organizations to address the issue of food insecurity both in the short and longer term. Fellows are a vital part of the Capital Area Food Bank.

The Garden Fellow will work closely with the Food Growing Education Specialist to develop and implement several food growing and gardening initiatives in our ½ acre garden, Urban Food Studio’s outdoor kitchen, and in the community. The fellow will also support the Food Growing Education Specialist with administrative tasks related to our partners and clients.

For more information about this position and to apply, click here. 

Horticulture Scholarships

Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund

A $2,000 scholarship is available for undergraduate students in horticulture, who are residents of Southeastern US States (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia). Students may attend college anywhere, they just need to be residents of one of the states.
Applications are due May 27, 2022. 

Learn more and apply here: https://www.sbmsef.org/apply.html


Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship
Three $5,000 scholarships are available for college or graduate students pursuing an education in the field of landscape/ornamental horticulture.
Applications are due by May 31, 2022. 

Learn more and apply here: https://mnlga.org/page/ScholarshipOpportunities

Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture Scholarship

This annual award is designed to recognize outstanding students majoring in Horticulture or related fields who have a clear intent upon graduation from an undergraduate university of either pursuing a career in one the many branches of horticulture including enhancement of the environment, or of attending graduate school in one of these areas.

Amount of Award: The award will be in the amount of $1,500 and paid direct to the two selected individuals by September 1st 2022.

Eligibility: This award shall be presented to a full-time student in horticulture in their Junior or Senior year, in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Applicants must either live in DE, MD, NJ, or PA or go to a school in one of those four states in the PSPA service area. Students must be interested in employment in the horticulture industry or in furthering their education in horticulture or related fields. (Previous scholarship winners are ineligible to apply)

Requirement: As part of the application process, a one-page essay must be submitted that focuses on how you envision impacting the industry through your employment or graduate work in horticulture. To submit an application, click here. Completed applications can be sent to caboley@comcast.net. The deadline is May 1st for applications to be received.

Paid Student Summer Internship with UMD Department of Entomology

The University of Maryland Department of Entomology is seeking some motivated undergraduates with an interest in Biological Control, Field Agro-ecology and helping food insecure individuals to join the ecological pest management and applied ecology group for summer paid internship positions. Research prospects will include using cover crops and flowering plants to manipulate beneficial arthropods and suppress insect and weed pests in vegetable plantings. Work will consist also of research plot maintenance, arthropod and plant surveys, produce harvesting and donating fresh produce to organizations that help feed food insecure community members.

Strong commitment to field work and a desire to work as a team and help the less fortunate and remove weeds from research plots are essential as the job entails outside manual activities during the summer months. The ideal candidate will have some interest in field research, the great outdoors and have a valid driver license. If you are interested in this opportunity and obtaining additional information, please send an email that is addressed to all of the following: Alan Leslie, Cerruti Hooks and Matt Dimock at aleslie@umd.edu, crrhooks@umd.edu, and mdimock@umd.edu.

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology Internships

The Hughes Center is affiliated with two separate federal grant projects that seek student interns for this summer. Descriptions and full announcements are available below:

1) Joint Agro-Ecology Field and Science Communications Internship Opportunity
"We seek two students for a summer internship that offers a hybrid of scientific research and outreach and communications. The ideal candidates have strong writing and communications skills coupled with knowledge in environmental science and an interest in agricultural landscapes. This internship is funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Small Watershed Grant to explore how to restore agricultural fields that have been damaged by saltwater intrusion and sea-level rise to vibrant, thriving marshes full of healthy plants and animal species. It is being held in partnership with Agroecology Lab at the University of Maryland."

The full internship announcement is available here. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 22.
Students can apply at: https://forms.gle/paaZTGZYxH4HaGsD9


2) Thriving Agriculture Systems in Urbanized Landscapes Internship
"We seek undergraduate student applicants interested in working as an intern on a project that will require extensive research related to agriculture, urbanization, land use, food systems, and policies in Maryland over a twenty-year period. This internship is part of a five-year $9 million project, “Thriving Agricultural Systems in Urbanized Landscapes” funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA.) The student selected for this internship will work closely with interns at Penn State and Virginia Tech who are also working on the project."

The full internship announcement is available here. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 20.
To apply, students can send their resume, cover letter and at least one academic and professional letter of recommendation and reference to Hughes Center Assistant Director Nancy Nunn at nnunn@umd.edu.

Urban Forester Position at Casey Trees

The Urban Forester 1 (UF1) is responsible for the management and smooth execution of Casey Trees’ tree planting programs on both public and private lands. This incumbent fields and schedules tree planting and related consultations on a year-round basis with property owners and others, responds to referrals from local government, industry partners and others. The Urban Forester also coordinates spring, fall and winter tree plantings to flow seamlessly with other tree planting activities and events. For more information about the position, requirements and benefits, and to apply, click here. 

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association Scholarship

The Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association has announced the availability of several scholarships for college-aged horticulture students. The MNLGA Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship will award three $5,000 scholarships for eligible students in ornamental horticulture and landscape programs.

Applications for this scholarship are due May 31st. Visit the MNLGA website, for more information.

In addition to the aforementioned scholarships, the MNLGA in conjunction with MANTS, sponsors the Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is administered by the Horticulture Research Institute (HRI). Further information regarding this program may be found here.

The MNLGA website also includes scholarship information for awards offered by the Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) and the Southern Nursery Association. Detailed information regarding each of these opportunities may be found here.

Camp Counselor at Mary's Land Farm

UMD Department of Entomology Undergraduate Summer Research Assistant

The Hamby Lab with the Department of Entomology at UMD is hiring undergraduate students for paid summer research positions. Students will conduct field work, maintain insect colonies and small fruit plantings in the lab and more. Applicants must have a U.S. driver’s license, be available to work 20 to 40 hours per week, and be willing to get a little dirty. To apply, send an email to Maria Cramer and cc Lasair ní Chochlain with a short cover letter in the body of the email, your resume and contact information for two references.

Natural History Society of Maryland's Nature Connections Program

Nature Connections is a signature program offered to you by the Natural History Society of Maryland with financial support from Constellation Energy. Programs are held on select Sundays are free and open to the public. Each Nature Connection focuses on a different natural history topic.

• Learn from presentations and displays from local experts and organizations 
• Explore specimens and artifacts from natural history collections 
• Hear about related citizen science projects 
• Talk to scientists who can answer your questions and guide your discoveries of the natural world 
• Enjoy games, art, crafts, stories, music, and drama for all ages

Programs are free, but they ask that you RSVP for planning purposes. You can RSVP for the first event, which is on March 6th and All About Seeds! 

If there are any UMD clubs that would like to come out and set up an educational station to teach about seeds, they have a station on monocots and dicots, pine cones, fossil seeds, and much more. If interested, email Bronwyn Mitchell-Strong at bstrong@marylandnature.org to begin a conversation.

Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Summer Internship Program

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. (Hughes Center) and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) are seeking law and undergraduate student applicants interested in careers in agriculture, environmental conservation, forestry, and/or policy for the 2022 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Summer Internship program. Multiple students will be selected for this eight-week internship, which includes a competitive salary and the opportunity to interact with leaders from the agricultural and environmental communities as well as state agencies. The internship will begin with an orientation session at Wye Research Center and the interns will attend periodic meetings at Wye. The remainder of the time, the interns will work virtually or attend meetings offsite.

The internship will introduce you to a number of complex natural resource issues, including nutrient management for the Chesapeake Bay, forestry, and local food production. During the course of the internship, you will meet diverse stakeholders and engage in the complex interaction between the agricultural and the environmental conservation and policy communities. You will be introduced to legislators and staff at state agencies as you work to resolve challenges. The internship is funded by organizations seeking to build leaders who are able to appreciate all sides of complex issues and develop solutions that consider the needs of industry, environment, economic, and policymakers.

For more information about this opportunity and to apply, click here. Applications are due February 20th, 2022.

Maryland Organic Food & Farming Association Virtual Farming and Gardening Conference

Join Maryland Organic Food & Farming Association (MOFFA)'s 31st Annual Winter Meeting! Interesting and informative presentations for farmers, gardeners, and foodies for FREE!

Save the date for what is shaping up to be a great conference on February 26th! Information will be updated on the MOFFA website, Instagram, and Facebook. They're excited to see you soon!

Grounds Manager and Horticulturist at Argyle Country Club

Founded in Washington D.C. in 1921, Argyle moved to its current location in Silver Spring, MD in 1945. The course was designed by Perc LeDuc, then a member of the Club. Argyle is known for having some of the area’s top golfers who consistently compete in state and national amateur championships.

Argyle Country Club is seeking a highly motivated Grounds Manager/Horticulturist to join their team. The Grounds Manager/Horticulturist will be responsible for the maintenance of all ornamental beds throughout the property which includes the clubhouse, pool, tennis facility, and golf course. The ideal candidate will possess the vision and ability to elevate the quality of the plantings at Argyle. This position will report to and work closely with the Director of Greens & Grounds.

For more information about this position and to apply, click here.