Page 72 - Free State Spring 2023_WEB

GROWING FORWARD A Leslie Hunter Cario

Maryland’s Green Industry is Growing:

A Look at Past Scholarship Recipients

lease allow me to introduce some up-and-coming green industry professionals you’ll want to know about.
Each of these individuals was awarded a merit-based scholarship through the MNLGA, which provides annual
Pscholarships in alignment with the organization’s mission. Opportunities include the MNLGA’s Ornamental
Horticulture Scholarship, with applications evaluated by the Scholarship Committee, as well as the Carville M. Akehurst
Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded through the Horticultural Research Institute. Applicants are Maryland residents
attending an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture program, either in or outside of the state.
The following offers a snapshot of several scholarship recipients from recent years. In their own words, you’ll hear about
the impact of this scholarship on their studies, experiences gained along the way, how their careers have taken off since
their time as students, and some words of advice.

Profile: Alyssa Steele lower monthly loan payments. I am very grateful for this
opportunity and the scholarship giving me this ability.
Studied at: University of Maryland - Landscape
Architecture with a certificate in Ornamental Horticulture What kind of work are you currently doing in the
green industry?
Awarded: MNLGA Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship
2020 I decided that after graduation, I would take a
gap year where I would volunteer at international
How did you hear about the scholarship, or what
prompted you to apply? locations. In the fall, I spent three months at Claude
Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. Whilst there, I was
Through the UMD landscape architecture department gardening. After the winter holidays, I came to Ireland,
email listserv. where I still currently am. I have been working at
How did the scholarship help with Huntington Castle and gardens. I started by assisting in
your studies? the gardens, but now I have been “lambing” for the past
few weeks, meaning that I have been assisting with the
The MNLGA scholarship greatly assisted my academic birth and care of lambs. Alexander Durdin-Robertson, the
career. I started university by applying for private keeper of the castle, has a flock of over 200 sheep here
personal student loans so that I could attend. During that are part of his organic farm.
my senior year, I was able to pay for my tuition entirely
out of pocket with scholarship assistance. This was a What would you like MNLGA members to know about
great relief from stress and allowed me to focus more on their investment in you?
my academic endeavors and capstone projects rather With my volunteering this gap year, I am
than having to work in my free time to pay for school. heavily inspired by the work I have been doing.
Not having the additional year of private loans has been Environmentally sustainable agriculture is something I am
of great benefit to me currently, as my loan payments very passionate about, and I plan to pursue that in my
have started. It has been much easier to achieve my goal next occupation.
of spending this year traveling and volunteering with

72 SPRING 2023 • Free State News