Four Horticulture Students Receive Scholarships at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

Four Horticulture Students receive scholarships at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

Laura Hillman (Bernie Swindeman Memorial Scholarship) – Laura is working on her PhD in Horticulture with an area of interest in the physiology of fruit set in apples. She has spent many years working at a local orchard owned by friends and has experienced all the tasks related to caring for fruit trees. In her work at MSU she has tested a new fruit-set model and presented these results to the industry. After graduation, she hopes to continue in the industry through an Extension position.

Carmen Beemer (Valent USA Scholarship) – Carmen is majoring in Horticultural Science with a focus on fruit tree pests and diseases. She most recently worked, for her Internship with Gold Coast Sales (Sparta, MI), as a scout for orchard pests and diseases. Carmen was chosen as the 2023-24 National Cherry Queen. After graduation, she will likely return to Gold Coast as a full-time employee, a professional position that will keep her directly involved in Michigan agriculture -- so she can “… continue to help producers be successful.”

Adrianna Malburg (Syngenta Scholarship) – Adrianna is studying Horticulture with a focus on fruit tree management. She has diverse experience in industry, from working at the West Central Research Station in Hart to interning as crop scout for Wilbur Ellis. Her goal is to find a career in tree fruit management and help sustainably grow healthy food.

Source: msu.edu

Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic