For the ninth year, the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture (PSPA) has awarded Fred Winter Memorial Scholarships for Excellence in Horticulture to outstanding regional college students who plan to pursue careers in horticulture. Yahel Ben-Zvi of Rutgers University (East Brunswick, NJ) and Maryland native Meghan Bundick of West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV) will each receive $1,000 to pursue their research and career plans.

Dr. Fred Winter was a gardener extraordinaire, horticulturalist and ardent rhododendron propagator from the Pottstown, Pa., area. His farm, Schuylkill Navigation Company Farm, is listed in the archives of American Gardens of the Smithsonian.  The memorial scholarships are possible due to the continuing support of Mrs. Barbara Winter, Dr. Winter’s widow.

• Yahel Ben-Zvi has combined Plant Science, Entomology and Agroecology in his independent research projects, internships and teaching assistantship at Rutgers. He received the Turfgrass student award, Norman F. Childers award, and Cook Scholarship.  This fall, Ben-Zvi will start his PhD program at Rutgers with ta focus on determining how natural plant metabolites can be used to attract beneficial insects and deter insect pests.   In his spare time, Ben-Zvi is Head of the Central NJ Chapter of Hashomer Hatzair, a youth movement with a 117 acre farm, and is Jazz and Blues Director for WVPH FM.
• Meghan Bundick was fascinated with Horticulture early on, and attended the Plant Science magnet program at  North Hartford High School in Pylesville, MD.  A junior at West Virginia University, Ms Bundick has conducted independent research in organic horticulture and combined her studies with hands-on internships with growers in Colorado, Maryland and West Virginia.  She is particularly interested in urban gardening and environmentally sustainable practices in the horticulture industry and hopes to enter a PhD program upon graduation in May 2023. In her spare time, Ms. Bundick is a swimmer and President of the WVU Horticulture Club.

The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture is America’s oldest continually operating society to promote agricultural innovation. This organization promotes progressive, productive and sustainable agriculture through monthly online presentations, luncheon meetings and field trips to farms, universities and research institutions. The membership includes large and small farmers, government and academic staff and ag-related businesses.

Click here for more about Fred Winter.