Goal
To honor the academic achievement of students who have chosen the nursery and landscape industry as their career choice. Furthermore, the program aims to encourage students to stay in this career path and to help them make connections with nursery and landscape employers who are MNLA members.

Participating Schools
Anoka Hennepin Technical College (Anoka)
Central Lakes Community College (Brainerd)
Dakota County Technical College (Rosemount)
Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Center)
Rochester Community & Technical College
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Minnesota-Crookston
University of Minnesota-St. Paul

Awards
MNLA will allocate at least two $500 awards per school annually. One of the awards shall be designated to an incoming first-year student, while the other award shall be designated to a second year student.

Member Recognition

• Press releases to media will include recognition of co-sponsors.
• Recognition in college publications.
• Plaque donated by MNLA will list the honored students and the sponsoring company.
• Sponsoring company will present scholarship at Awards Day ceremonies.

Partnering With Members
MNLA voting or associate members may co-sponsor the academic awards with financial commitments in $250 increments. For example, Jones Landscaping and Smith Greenhouse both have had success with graduates from Dakota County Technical College. Both companies want to give back to the college, plus continue to have a strong relationship with the college and its students. Jones Landscaping and Smith Greenhouse are both small companies and couldn?t afford to sponsor a substantial scholarship on their own. But by committing $250 annually to the MNLA Academic Awards Program, both companies are now able to present a $750 award to a student at Dakota County Tech. Over the years, the companies may want to increase their commitment or may be joined by another co-sponsor to raise the total award amount to $1000.

Selection Process
There shall be a 3-4 person selection committee at each college. The committee shall be designated by the head of the nursery/landscape department and may include a representative of the faculty, the sponsoring company or companies, and other appropriate persons. Award winners will be chosen based on interest in the industry as described in a letter written by the applicant; recommendations from two teachers and/or employers; good citizenship as determined by the committee; average or above average academic achievement, especially in courses related to career goals; and any employment experience. Financial need is not a criteria.

If you would like more information or an application for sponsorship for the Academic Awards Program contact