DCF invests £5,000 in horticultural students

Following a record number of applications from 15 colleges across the UK, five scholars have been awarded Student Scholarships of £1,000 by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF).

The horticultural charity is delighted to support the following students: Fern Carroll-Smith, Bicton College; Samantha Jackson, Capel Manor College; Louis Dinan, Scotland's Rural College, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; Aleksandra Butowska, Myerscough College; and Abimbola Oyelade, Writtle College.
 
Capel Manor College student Samantha Jackson, is receiving a scholarship from the DCF for a second year. She comments, “The DCF has supported me to continue to follow a passion in horticulture that I would have struggled to without.  I am extremely grateful for the financial assistance and will continue to work hard, progress and learn more about the stimulating world of horticulture.” Samantha, who is interested in commercial horticulture and plant propagation, is currently completing a BTEC Level 3 Diploma top-up course in Horticulture.
 
FdSc Horticulture student Fern Carroll-Smith of Bicton College, adds: “The scholarship will help me to pay for essential equipment for my trials as well as more general student equipment such as working laptop! Receiving the scholarship has also boosted my confidence in my work. In the future I hope to work in the field of commercial horticulture and horticulture technology, with the aim of reducing the environmental impacts of commercial plant production.”
 
“The DCF is very pleased to be awarding the students in recognition of their hard work, future ambitions and commitment to commercial horticulture. They are a good investment and just what the industry needs. DCF is happy to support them on their journey,” said Jeff Colegrave, DCF Chairman.
 
Students and colleges are reminded that the annual scholarship season is still open with applications for Sponsored Scholarships due by 31 January 2014. Horticultural companies that include Floranova, Ball Colegrave and BPOA are offering support by way of funding, study tours or work experience opportunities.
For more details, go to www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk and click on scholarships.