Eight area residents were recently awarded scholarships by the Coos County Master Gardener Association (CCMGA). Each year the Coos County chapter offers up scholarships for students pursuing a degree in an agriculture or horticulture-related field. This year many outstanding applications were received and awards were given to the following: Tasia Hyatt, Coquille, studying horticulture and business marketing at Oregon State University; Serena Erler, Coquille, working toward a Bachelor’s in Nutrition at OSU; Shelby Porter, Coos Bay, studying Botany at OSU; Emily Midyette, North Bend, studying Biology and Environmental Sciences at Lawrence University in Wisconsin; Elizabeth Spencer, Myrtle Point, studying Agriculture and Business Management at Linn-Benton Community College; Alessandra Hossley, North Bend, majoring in Forestry and Civil Engineering at OSU; James Kirkpatrick, North Bend, studying Forest Engineering at OSU; and Cole Waddington, also studying forestry at OSU. Funding for the scholarship awards comes from the Master Gardener Tomato-Rama Plant Sale, held each spring in mid-May. The Master Gardener volunteers grow the plants for this sale, spending hundreds of hours growing thousands of plants to raise money to give back to the community. Funds raised also go toward the school garden grants made available each year to local schools. For more information about the Master Gardener Scholarship Program, contact Cindy Peterson, Master Gardener Coordinator, OSU Extension, 541-572-5263, ext. 25299 or email: cindy.peterson@oregonstate.edu
