(Cass Co.) The 2026 Cass County Master Gardeners Horticulture Scholarship application is open, with the deadline fast approaching on April 1. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide post-secondary funds to individuals who are studying and intend to pursue a career in a horticulture-related field.
This $1,000 horticulture scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors in any of the following Iowa school districts, in which currently reside members of the Cass County, Iowa Master Gardeners (CCMG): Atlantic, AHSTW, CAM, Griswold, or Red Oak. The scholarship is also available to graduates, of any age, of any of these school districts. Students of any age studying in a horticulture-related field are encouraged to apply, regardless of the type of program they are studying, as long as they intend to obtain some degree or certificate in a horticultural-related field. The scholarship can be used at any two-year, four-year, or trade school program.
The goal of the Master Gardener program is to support horticulture education and community service. Cass County Master Gardener members provide many hours of volunteer service and gardening education within their local communities. This scholarship is designed to further that focus on education and community service. Enrollment in a horticulture-related program of study is required for consideration. Those fields include horticulture, floral design, landscape design, agricultural education, botany, forestry, and more. The scholarship winner will be selected based upon horticulture-related career goals, history of community service, academic success, and quality and completeness of application. Financial need is NOT a consideration.
The 2025 Scholarship was awarded to Luke Irlmeier, a 2025 graduate of Atlantic High School. He is currently a student at Iowa State University, studying horticulture with an interest in landscape design. His interest in horticulture began with gardening in his childhood, expanding as a teenager into tearing up parts of his parents’ yard for landscaping projects, assisting neighbors and other community members with landscaping, and designing and installing a flowerbed around his church’s sign. Throughout his time in school, Luke was involved in numerous service projects through his schools, church, and community.
The 2026 scholarship is open to any student pursuing post-secondary education during the 2026-2027 school year. A scholarship check will be issued in January 2027, in the student’s name directly to the academic institution, upon receipt of an official grade transcript for the completed Fall 2026 semester, demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 or other successful program completing. A previous scholarship recipient may re-apply, but an individual may only receive a total of two scholarships from this program.
The application form is available through the high school guidance departments of any eligible school district, or on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/. Applications should be submitted to the Cass County Extension Office, 805 W 10th St, Atlantic, Iowa 50022, or emailed to keolson@iastate.edu on or before the April 1, 2026 deadline for consideration. Questions can be directed to Kate Olson at the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.
The goal of the Master Gardener program, in all 50 states and internationally, is to support horticulture education and community service. Master Gardeners complete an extensive course study and 40 volunteer hours to become certified. Once certified, a Master Gardener is required to obtain a minimum of 10 education hours and to provide a minimum of 20 volunteer hours, annually. In addition to scholarships, the Cass County Master Gardeners also provide gardening grants, host an annual Gardening seminar, coming up this year on March 28, Plant Sales in the spring (May 9) and fall (September 12), a daylong bus trip (May 20), and a summer garden walk (June 21). The members provide volunteer assistance in various projects including gardens at the Cass County Community Building and fairgrounds, the Cass County Outdoor Classroom, city parks, libraries, churches and other locations; and provide education and service at Produce in the Park, Grow Another Row, gardening with youth, and more. Information on upcoming events can be found by following the Cass County Master Gardeners on Facebook or at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/master-gardener-program.
