We’re excited to launch our Grow the Fund campaign, highlighting the scholarships supported through the IPPS Southern Region Education Endowment. These programs create real opportunities for students and early-career professionals across our region, and with your help, we can reach our $200,000 goal.
A gift of $25 (or more!) makes a meaningful impact, and all donations are tax-deductible. Together, we can continue strengthening the future of plant production in the Southern Region.
Scroll down to learn more about the scholarships your donations support and congratulations to the 2025 winners!
Applications are now being accepted
Applications for ALL IPPS Southern Region scholarships are due by June 1. Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with students, colleagues, and emerging professionals in your network who may be great candidates.
Your outreach helps strengthen our programs and supports the next generation of green industry leaders!
Early Career Exchange Program
The IPPS Southern Region Early-Career International Exchange Program, established in 2013, supports emerging horticulture professionals by providing financial assistance and immersive professional development opportunities. Participants engage in an IPPS European Region Meeting, including conference attendance and nursery tours, followed by reciprocal engagement with the IPPS Southern Region, strengthening international collaboration and long-term professional relationships.
All IPPS regions actively participate in the exchange program, offering truly once-in-a-lifetime professional development opportunities. Participants gain behind-the-scenes access to world-class nurseries, attend regional meetings, and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors from around the globe.
More than a tour, this program cultivates global perspective, leadership development, and deep engagement with the Society. Many past participants go on to become long-term members, committee leaders, and regional board members. It’s an investment that strengthens individual careers and the future of IPPS itself.
Coach Vince Dooley Student Scholarship
Established in 2023 to honor Coach Vince Dooley of the University of Georgia, this scholarship celebrates the power of lifelong learning and the unexpected paths that lead to horticulture. After an extraordinary career in athletics and leadership, Coach Dooley discovered a deep passion for plants later in life. His interest was sparked through coursework with renowned horticulturists Dr. Michael Dirr and Dr. Allan Armitage, whose teaching ignited his curiosity and appreciation for plant science and garden design.
This all-inclusive annual scholarship honors Coach Dooley’s legacy by supporting students within the International Plant Production Society community. The award provides access to education, networking, and professional opportunities, inspiring recipients to pursue horticulture with curiosity, humility, and passion, values Coach Dooley embodied throughout his life.
One of the most dynamic and impactful programs supported by IPPS, this exchange delivers one of the highest returns on investment for developing future IPPS leaders. Designed to immerse young professionals in real-world plant production beyond their home region, the program offers transformational experiences that shape careers for decades.
Margie Jenkins Conference Scholarship
The Margie Jenkins IPPS Conference Scholarship Award supports first-time attendees of the International Plant Production Society Southern Region of North America (IPPS-SRNA) Annual Meeting. The award covers full conference registration, including educational sessions, tours, and the awards banquet. Travel and lodging expenses are not included.
This scholarship honors the legacy of Ms. Margie Jenkins, a longtime IPPS-SRNA member who entered the nursery industry later in life and became a respected leader, mentor, and plant advocate across the Gulf States. Under her leadership, Jenkins Farm and Nursery flourished, and she earned widespread recognition for her horticultural expertise, educational outreach, and commitment to mentoring emerging professionals. Margie Jenkins exemplified the IPPS mission of Seeking and Sharing and remains an enduring inspiration to the green industry.
Vivian Munday Work Scholarship
The Vivian Munday Work Scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to new horticulture professionals and students interested in attending the IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting. An early horticulture professional is defined as an individual with fewer than five years of work experience in the horticultural field.
This scholarship honors the legacy of Vivian Munday, a respected leader, mentor, and lifelong advocate for education within the horticulture industry. Vivian was deeply committed to supporting students and young professionals, believing that access to professional networks, continuing education, and hands-on learning opportunities were essential for long-term success in the field. Her dedication to mentoring others and fostering meaningful connections within the industry left a lasting impact on the IPPS community.
The Charles Student Research Competition
The Charles Student Research Competition is named in honor of Dr. Charles Gilliam, former Professor of Horticulture at Auburn University, and Mr. Charlie Parkerson, who originated the student competition. Their shared commitment to education and excellence in horticulture continues through this long-standing IPPS Southern Region program.
This competition celebrates excellence in research by providing students with a unique opportunity to showcase original work while connecting directly with some of the most respected nursery and green industry professionals in the Southern United States. Each year, the IPPS Southern Region presents four awards recognizing outstanding student research focused on horticultural crop production relevant to the southern U.S., helping foster professional growth, mentorship, and the future of our industry.
