Scholarship Info

Memorializing Carville M. Akehurst’s legacy by investing in tomorrow’s horticulture leaders. Empowering students across the Mid-Atlantic region to grow their careers in the green industry.

About

Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship

The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 by the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS). This scholarship serves to memorialize Mr. Akehurst who served the horticultural industry as one of the founders of MANTS. In addition to his thirty plus years as Executive Vice-President of MANTS, Mr. Akehurst served as Executive Secretary of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association Horticulture Research Foundation, Maryland Christmas Tree Growers, American Conifer Society, and Maryland Greenhouse Growers’ Association.

MANTS, an association formed from the state nursery and landscape associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, has established this scholarship with the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) with the belief that the strength and future success of the horticulture industry lies in the solid education of today’s students. MANTS’ establishment of this scholarship is a reflection of Mr. Akehurst’s firm belief that education begets one the opportunity to achieve. Through this scholarship, MANTS will provide scholarship opportunity to qualified students to help ensure the continuity of the nursery and landscape profession.

One scholarship up to $5,000 is available.

Requirements

Applicants must

  • Be a resident of one of the three MANTS member states: Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Attendance at an institution within these states is not mandatory
  • Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture program or related discipline at a two or four year institution
  • Be enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted
  • Have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.7 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in their major
  • Have at least a junior standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.
  • Previous Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship award winners are eligible for additional funding and may reapply for the scholarship.

Apply

Think you have the green thumb for success?

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Past Winners

Elliot K.

Javiera D.

Jenna E.

Katelyn W.

Nicholas D.

Mants Means Business

January 7 - 9, 2026
Baltimore Convention Center

Contact Us

info@mants.com
(410) 296-6959 • Office

PO BOX 818
Brooklandville, MD 21022

Show Hours

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 • 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday, January 8, 2026 • 9 am - 5 pm
Friday, January 9, 2026 • 8 am - 1 pm

PLANNING AHEAD?

Here are future MANTS® Dates:

2027 • January 13 - 15
2028 • January 5 - 7
2029 • January 10 - 12

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

MANTS® IS ANNUALLY HELD AT:

Baltimore Convention Center

The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
BCCenter.org
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