Columbus, OH, OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals has selected six students to serve as the year’s OFA Scholars. This rigorous competitive application process identifies some of the industry’s brightest young professionals and helps to launch their careers in horticulture by providing education and networking opportunities. The goal of the OFA Scholars Program is to provide students with an enriching professional development experience that increases their knowledge, industry awareness, and career enthusiasm.
2013 OFA Scholars
• Josh Craver, Kansas State University
• Steven Ferullo, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
• Josh Henry, Ohio State University
• Chris McKellar, Michigan State University
• Garrett Owen, Purdue University
• Alicia Rihn, University of Minnesota
OFA Scholars will be on-site at the 2013 OFA Short Course (July 13-16 in Columbus, Ohio) and receive complimentary OFA Short Course registration, lodging, and meals. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary one-year OFA membership. On-site at the OFA Short Course, Scholars will assist the OFA Generation Next Committee with events, conduct presentations that share their insight into industry issues, attend the trade show and educational sessions, meet with industry mentors, and network at various social events.
More information on this year’s OFA Scholars, including biographies and photos, are available at www.ofa.org/scholars.
Background Information
The OFA Scholars Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students attending 2- and 4-year colleges and universities throughout the United States who are majoring in horticulture or a related field and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must complete an online application and submit one faculty letter of recommendation. Up to six students are selected each year.
About the organization: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is the leading horticulture educational association in the United States. It is a not-for-profit, all-industry organization and its core purpose and mission is “to support and advance professional horticulture.” Industry segments served include: garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail and wholesale florists, interior plantscapers, and landscape contractors. OFA is especially known for its outstanding publications and its annual OFA Short Course, U.S. horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace. The OFA Short Course was named the 147th largest trade show among all industries in the United States by the Trade Show News Network. The next Short Course will take place on July 13-16, 2013 in Columbus, Ohio USA.
Source: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals
