Scholarship recipients and Grant Application

Jennifer Farley is a UWSP senior from Algoma, Wisconsin. She always loved the outdoors as a kid and would spend hours wandering around her family’s property looking at all the different plants and animals. During middle/high school she was heavily involved in her schools Garden Club. She was also a Master Gardener apprentice for a summer which was fun and eye-opening. She is unsure of her future plans but knows plants will be a huge part of it. She sincerely thanks NCWMGA for the scholarship award.

(To apply for a scholarship, see your University Financial Aid Officer.)

Matt Jornlin is from Pestigo, Wisconsin, and is finishing his 4th year at UWSP with one semester until he graduates with a Biology Major and a Chemistry minor. He became interested in horticulture after taking Plant Anatomy, Physiology and Introduction to Aquaponics classes. They were his favorite classes. He will be interning this summer as a crop scout. He thanks NCWMGA for the generous scholarship and is excited to learn more about horticulture and to be able to work in this field.

(To apply for a scholarship, see your University Financial Aid Officer.)

Applicant must be a non-profit organization. Preference is given to Marathon County projects. Projects are evaluated on the project's alignment with NCWMGA's mission, the horticultural and educational aspects of the project, and the stability and history of the applicant organization.  

Grants awarded May 30 must have applications postmarked between January 1 and April 15. 

Grants awarded October 31 must have applications postmarked between April 16 and September 15.

NCWMGA's Philanthropy Committee will provide further details to applicants if needed. Factors the committee considers when assessing grant applications include the following: 

a) whether the project aligns with NCWMGA's mission and is feasible, well-designed, planned, purposeful and sensible, 

b) whether the project addresses an important need in the community or benefits a large number of people with measurable impact, 

c) whether it is a one-time project or a continuing project, 

d) whether the project budget is adequate and realistic, and 

e) whether the application includes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the project.

This grant will allow the DCE Hydroponics project to purchase a variety of equipment that will improve and enhance the ability to grow food in the hydroponics program. 

As for project goals, there are many:

● Students learn how to operate a hydroponics plant system, which includes understanding and

interpreting data, making adjustments to the system, making observations concerning plant

health, harvesting and preparation of plants for human consumption, to name just a few of the

impacts on the hydroponics student experience. They are also learning the importance of

‘connecting the dots’ between getting data, understanding what that data tells you, and then

making adjustments accordingly

● Plants grown in the hydroponics program are used in the DCE lunch programs, so the entire

student body benefits from healthy, nutritious pesticide free food that is grown ‘just down the

hall’.

● We continue to experiment with other plants such as herbs and watercress.

● We’ve expanded into the growing of microgreens.

This project is in the courtyard of Wausau East High School. The courtyard is an

‘open to the sky’ area located in the middle of the building. There are windows located on both the first and second floor of the building that look into the courtyard. As a result, the

courtyard is like a beautiful natural ‘centerpiece’ that students and staff walk past on a daily

basis, creating a place of beauty throughout the year. Even in winter the perennial plant stalks

will offer visual interest amidst the snow cover. 

This project will fulfill a variety of needs:

1 - Students in the landscaping/horticulture class will redesign the courtyard, giving them

hands-on experience with both garden design and ‘right plant right place’ decision making.

Students will rework the already existing beds which involves removal of undesirable plants,

reworking the soil and replanting with new design elements.

2 - Working with Horticulturist Leigh Presely (former East student) of Clearview Nursery,

students will have direct contact with a horticultural professional who will work with students as they plan and implement their design ideas.

3 - This project will involve participation from the technology class where students will be

designing and building a variety of tables and chairs that can be placed in the courtyard,

allowing for ample sitting/studying space.

4 - Upon completion, this courtyard space will become an environmentally and student-friendly

community space where classes can meet and students can study and relax in a natural

setting.