Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association

WNY Nurserymen's Association Foundation

WNY Nurserymen's Association Foundation
Board of Directors/Term Expiration

President - Tom Mitchell, Term Expiring 2013

Treasurer/Secretary - Roger Restorff, CNLP, Term Expiring 2017

Trustee - Gardner Low, Term Expiring 2014

Trustee - Chris Zeisz, Term Expiring 2015

Trustee - Neil Stern, Term Expiring 2016

Download the WNYS Nurseryman's Foundation Association By-Laws:  western new york nurserymen foundation by-laws.pdf

Foundation Inc. Scholarship Program

There are two scholarship applications for which to apply - see below for the description.  The application is to be used for Fall 2013 and/or Spring 2014

Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship (for high school seniors only)  Down load the application here....2013 Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship Application .pdf    - open or download with Adobe Reader and text can be added to the application and saved.

The Toby Martino Memorial Scholarship is given to a student who has a passion for horticulture and leadership skills just as Mr. Martino had. Mr. Martino taught horticulture at McKinley High School from 1935-1971 and wrote a weekly column in the Buffalo News. The scholarship is available to a high school senior who will be furthering their education in horticulture or a related field.

  The George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac Scholarship and the WNY State Nurserymen’s Association Foundation Scholarship - down load the application here...2013 WNYNAF Scholarship Application.pdf    open or download with Adobe Reader and text can be added to the application and saved

 The George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac Scholarship is named after garden industry leaders through the 1950’s and 1960’s. Together George and Kenneth started Buffalo Garden Supply in 1953 and operated very successfully until they sold it and retired in 1965. Kenneth Isaac was the first Man of the Year recipient of the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association.. George O. Adam’s family continues to support the scholarship fund each year in memory of George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac. 

Objectives - Assist through scholarships, the education of persons permanently residing within the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association (Region 6) boundaries, who are likely to pursue careers in the Nursery/Landscape Industry.

Policies - The number and amount of scholarship awards will be determined annually by the Board of Directors from budgeted funds made available via income from investments. Scholarships shall be awarded to the most deserving students who best meet the eligibility criteria and who are enrolled in a horticultural related program at an accredited college.
No one Institution is guaranteed a scholarship. Applications for scholarship grants must be submitted to, and final selection will be made by the Western New York Nurserymen's Association Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.

Eligibility Criteria - Though not requirements, the following guidelines will be considered for students seeking scholarship eligibility:

1. Enrollment in a horticultural related program at the accredited college
2. Academic excellence
3. Recommendation from a member firm
4. Having worked in a Nursery/Landscape related industry, preferable with our Region
5. Financial need
6. Professor recommendation
7. Extra curricular activities in school and community
8. Essay written on application as to importance of his/her scholarship toward attaining future goals
9. Show a positive desire to work in Region 6

Scholarship Award - Awards shall be Non-discriminatory with respect to race, color, sex, religion, age, or national origin.

Funds shall be awarded only after the recipient has been verified to be enrolled at the accredited institution. The funds shall be dispersed directly to the institutions Bursar's Office for credit against the recipients tuition. Eligible students may receive a maximum of two WNYSNLA Foundation Scholarships during their college career.

Procedures - In January of each year, the Board of Director shall define the number and amount of scholarship grants to be offered.

Participating Institutions, membership and interested candidates will be provided by mid-January with information packets, application forms and scholarship availability.

All applications shall be submitted to the Committee Foundation Trustees) by June 15, 2013 (for Fall 2013 Semester) or October 15, 2013 (for Spring 2014 Semester) . The process of selection, will be administered by the Foundation Trustees in compliance with previously set policies. If a member of the Foundation  is related to or noted on application as a provider, employer, instructor, reference, or for any reason may feel that they may not be able to render an unbiased decision, they will remove themselves from the selection process for that individual(s) or as long as necessary. Participating institutions and the membership shall be notified of available scholarship grants to be awarded in August.

Scholarship grants shall be credited against the recipients tuition in accordance to the institutions Bursar's Office requirements but no later than the end of the calendar year.