Lawn & Landscape names scholarship winner

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio – Lawn & Landscape has announced the winner of its annual Richard Foster Award, which recognizes outstanding students planning careers in the landscape, lawn care or horticulture business.

Michael Sciardi, a student at the University of Florida majoring in landscape nursery management with a minor in management and sale in agribusiness, will be awarded $2,500 to help defray the costs of his education.

Sciardi stood out in a crowded field of nearly 50 applicants thanks to his already strong track record in the industry. Sciardi is a native of Brisbane, Australia, where he started and ran his own landscaping business, De Mower Man, before coming to the U.S. four years ago. Sciardi ran the business for six years, offering services such as lawn maintenance, garden maintenance, small tree removal, landscape refurbishments and equipment servicing.

At the University of Florida, he has maintained a 3.92 GPA and is a member of the UF Environmental Horticulture Club. He also had an internship, followed by a nine-month full-time position with a local tree care company, SkyFrog Tree Service. He was also profiled in the June issue of Lawn & Landscape.

“Michael represents the best of the future of the landscape industry,” says Lawn & Landscape Editor and Associate Publisher Chuck Bowen. “He is dedicated to improving not just himself, but the people around him, and to learning as much as he can about the green industry.”

Sciardi received high praise from his university advisers and employer for his work ethic and attitude.

“Always enthusiastic to learn and improve himself, Michael’s great attitude and outlook served to instill a greater sense of comradery and team spirit to the rest of the SkyFrog crew,” wrote Joseph Vasquez, president, in one of Sciardi’s recommendation letters. “He was, and remains, one of the most respected, hard-working and dedicated employees I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and this includes my career in the United States Marine Corps.”

To be eligible for the $2,500 scholarship, students must be enrolled at a recognized two- or four-year college or university working toward a degree in horticulture, environmental science or other field related to a segment of the green industry.

“After graduation, my wife and I plan to move to Jacksonville, Fla., to start a family and continue the growth of my business in the area. It is exciting times ahead and I am looking forward to all the challenges that come my way,” Sciardi says. “Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that achieving those goals. By awarding me The Richard Foster Scholarship I will be able to focus on my education and put all my energy into creating a successful landscaping and lawn business. I hope in turn one day I’ll be able to give back and help other horticulture students.”

For more information about the scholarship, visit www.lawnandlandscape.com/horticultural-scholarship.aspx.