Meet the Winners

Here are the successful applicants of the 2024 Jane Stock Excellence in Horticulture Scholarships:

Anna Ladd - Kruger

I found my way back to nature, plants, and our environment through life-altering events that began on December 21, 2021. That day, I experienced sudden, crippling pain radiating from my head. My husband rushed me to the Hospital, where a team of neurosurgeons told me that my brain was bleeding from an aneurysm. Statistically, the chances of surviving a brain aneurysm are 30%, and the chances of a successful recovery post-surgery are 50%. I miraculously survived both.

After a two-year journey toward recovery, my interest in nature remained strong. The trees in my backyard, the diverse variety of plants and flowers, and tranquil walks along the ocean dike have all played a crucial role in my healing process. I began tending to over 50 plants in my home and even created a plant room where I relax and meditate. As an avid learner, I wanted to deepen my understanding further. At 54 years old, I mustered the courage to apply to study full-time in the UBC Horticulture Program. In addition to volunteering at the Vancouver Food Bank and supporting various local at risk youth programs and universities, my goal is to open a non-profit garden shop. This shop would also include plant workshops and educational programs to promote awareness of the connection between society and the natural world. I hope to encourage and employ at-risk youth in my shop and work programs. I am thankful to Jane Stock for leaving such a generous foundation to help us learn. This scholarship is important to me so that I can continue to honor and contribute to such an inspiring legacy in the field of horticulture.

Frank (Feihu) Zhao

My journey into horticulture has been marked by a significant career change, a deep passion for plants, and a commitment to contributing positively to the environment. I grew up in the rural land of a small province in China, where my childhood was filled with plants, wild birds, and insects. During the busy farming seasons, I helped my family work until late at night, learning how to keep plants healthy from a young age. This early exposure to nature and agriculture instilled in me a deep appreciation for the natural world.

After graduating from college, I spent over a decade working as an engineer in a big city surrounded by concrete. I often felt disconnected from nature and used my limited holidays to visit natural landscapes, which provided me comfort and relief from stress. Moving to Vancouver, was a transformative experience. The city's beautiful environment and the harmonious relationship between nature and people highlighted the positive impact of nature on mental well-being. This realization inspired me to pursue a career in horticulture.

My goal is to become a professional horticulturist, and I believe that the Red Seal certification at KPU is crucial for my career. This program will provide me with the advanced skills needed to better support the horticulture industry and enhance community well-being. Horticulture plays a significant role in mental health by promoting well-being and reducing stress. To effectively contribute, I need professional knowledge and an understanding of horticulture's impact on nature, wildlife, and birds, making further study essential.

Eric Waldorf

For most of my life I've been wandering from job to job. My learning disability proved to be challenging every step of the way. Consequently, I just never really found anything that was a good fit for me. The lack of direction took it's toll on my health, both physically and mentally. I often felt directionless and without purpose.

So, it was Covid, in 2021 that proved to be the fork in the road for me. I answered a posting for short term employment at Garden Works Penticton for 6 weeks as a door man. I was hired to ensure customers wore their masks when entering the store. I took the job even though I believed I'd be unemployed again in a few weeks. I had a gut feeling that I would very much enjoy working at Garden Works and three years later I'm still happily employed at the store. It's been a great journey for me because I've learned a great deal about plants, about customer service and mostly about myself.

I grew up surrounded by gardeners - both my grandmothers, aunt and mum all had amazing gardens. Ten years ago when I moved to the Okanagan, I was fortunate enough to have been given a space for a garden of my own. I discovered that this garden was my way of creating and expressing myself. In my little plot of land I now found my peace, my passion and my sense of wonder. Last fall I made the decision that it was time for me to become serious about horticulture. I took a leap of faith and I applied to Camosun College in Victoria for the 10 month horticulture program.

One thing that was very obvious to me working at Gardenworks was that gardening attracts everybody! From bees to bikers there's no shortage of garden enthusiasts. They come in all shapes and sizes. I'm yearning to begin a career that's integral in the healing our planet rather harming the world we live in.

Scholarship Winners Since 2012

2024

Anna Ladd - Kruger (Horticulture Student)

Frank (Feihu) Zhao (Horticulture Student; Employee of Para Space Landscaping Inc., Burnaby)

Eric Waldorf (Horticulture Student; Employee at GardenWorks)

2023

Rachel Draaistra (Granddaughter to Bill & Grace Van Belle, Van Belle Nursery, Abbotsford)

Joah Walters (Employee of Blue Pine Enterprises, Surrey)

Dinh Tran (Employee of Para Space Landscaping Inc., Burnaby)

Samir Ghimire (Employee of Para Space Landscaping Inc., Burnaby)

Jessica Giebelhaus (Employee at Gardenworks, Victoria)

2022

Danika Potter (Employee of Golden Spruce Nurseries, Langley)

Kenny Shang (Son to BCLNA Member, Frank Shang, MRD Landscaping Inc.)

2021

Brooke Furtado (Daughter to BCLNA Member, Carlos Furtado, Victoria Landscaping)

Iain Wilson (BCLNA Member, ISW Landscapes)

Emma Breukers (Employee at NATS Nursery Ltd.)

2020

Kate van der Zalm (Granddaughter to Art & Dorothy van der Zalm, Art’s Nursery)

Aaron Campbell (BCLNA Student Member)

Samantha Stewart (Daughter to Colin Stewart, Heartwood Farms)

2019

Lynda Krabbendam (West Creek Farms Ltd.)

Caitlin Williams (Meridian Landscaping Ltd.)

Jessie Machhein (Arborist ISA Certificate)

Kayla Whatley

2018

Clare Douglas (Bella Terra Landscaping Ltd.)

Isabella Hargrave (Cedar Crest Lands (BC) Ltd.)

Lea Bortnick-Marks (Rakes & Ladders Garden and Property Services)

Linnaea Kennedy (Blasig Landscape Design & Construction)

Piper Kenney (Hunter Garden Centre)

2017

Colin Jansen (West Creek Farms Ltd.)

Robyn Nakano (Daughter to Michelle Nakano, Kwantlen Polytechnic University)

Nicholas Ogilvie (Ikonic Enterprises Inc.)

Peggy Wong (Phoenix Perennial and Specialty Plants Ltd.)

Paige Hunter (Art’s Nursery)

2016

Anita Proom (Elk Lake Garden Centre)

Juliana Chalifour (Paridon Horticultural Ltd.)

Sam Van Noort (Van Noort Bulb Company Ltd.)

2015

Alexander Johnsen Howkins (Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd.)

Ashlyn Ouellette (Sticks ‘N Stones Nursery)

Ryan Broadfoot (Think Green Landscaping Ltd.)

2014

Taylor Josephy (Richbar Nursery)

Danielle Frost (Frost Nursery)

Tyler De Jong (Son to Doug De Jong, Misty Meadow Nursery)

2013

Justin McTavish (Environmental Farm Planners Ltd.)

Wayne - Carter Williams (Candy Cane Nursery)

Tyler Burns (Ethical Concrete Solutions Inc.)

2012

Acacia Meyer (Contour Landscape Installation & Design Ltd.)

Christopher Hoegler (BC Plant Health Care Inc.)

Spencer Bronson (Pond Doctor Water Garden Specialist)

Ryan De Jong (Son to Doug De Jong, Misty Meadow Nursery)