Neil Vanderkruk was a well-respected, hardworking and caring nurseryman whose generosity and attitude helped countless individuals in the horticulture and landscape industry. Although he passed away Nov. 21, 2020, those who are forever grateful for Neil’s influence and mentorship would like to establish a scholarship to honour Neil’s lifetime of dedication and volunteerism to help future generations of innovators and leaders.
The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund and is looking to those in the profession to support this important initiative.
The mission of the Neil Vanderkruk Industry Innovation & Scholarship Fund is to support those initiatives that will contribute to a prosperous sector. The fund will support research grants, scholarships for post secondary horticulture students and internships in industry and research institutions.
The Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund will preserve a legacy of high standards, community building and caring to future generations of horticulture professionals and leaders. Donate today.
Scholarship criteria
The Neil Vanderkruk scholarship is available to students entering or currently enrolled in an accredited horticultural institution and have at least two summers employed by a Landscape Ontario member. Special emphasis will be taken into consideration for those who possess an entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for furthering and developing the horticulture industry. Strong leadership qualities and volunteering experience will be required to receive this scholarship.
About Neil
Neil Vanderkruk Holdings grew to become one of Canada’s largest wholesale nurseries, serving customers throughout Canada and the Northeastern United States.
Neil credits some of the company’s success with his involvement in Landscape Ontario. One of the early driving forces behind Landscape Ontario, Neil served as the association’s president from 1988 to 1989, and has been a long-time member of the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. He is also one of a select group of honorary life members.
Landscape Ontario executive director Tony DiGiovanni recalls his first contact with Neil: “A phone call in 1989 from Neil changed my life direction,” DiGiovanni said. “The phone call to work for LO came out of nowhere. Neil asked if I was interested in working as the Executive Director of Landscape Ontario. I told him I was not interested, because I loved my job at Humber College. He kept after me and I was flattered. When I told my Dean that I was approached, he told me to try the job risk free for a year because if I did not like it, I would only be a better teacher because of the industry connections.”
After Neil’s passing, DiGiovanni wrote: "In everyone’s life there are special individuals of influence. They change your perspective, provide guidance, mentor and inspire. They encourage, support and challenge you. They act as a role model and change your life for the better. One of those individuals for me was Neil Vanderkruk. Neil was special. He was unique. He was kind, considerate and empathetic. He cared deeply about his family, his church, his community, his profession and his trade organization. Neil was a great mentor. He had more faith in my ability than I had. He was always complimentary and encouraging."
DiGiovanni and all those who worked with Neil know the high standards and values that made Neil such a unique individual. It is those values we wish to pass on to future generations via the creation of the Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Neil has left a legacy of benefit. His wisdom, vision, spirit and memory will live on in the thousands of people he has touched. He was truly a community builder. The profession and the world is a better place because of his many contributions and we ask that you also contribute to his legacy by supporting the Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“Our father loved plants but his real passion was the nursery industry. He wanted all businesses, including landscapers, garden centres and nursery growers to be successful, because he understood that the success of his own business was directly related to a successful sector.”— Mark Vanderkruk, president, NVK— Case Vanderkruk, operations manager, NVK
Read more about Neil’s legacy.
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About the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation
The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation is the research and scholarship arm of Landscape Ontario. The Foundation’s mandate is to ensure a healthy future for the horticultural industry, through financial support of research and scholarships through interest generated on capital investments. Each year, together with the Cullen Family Scholarship Program, the Foundation offers up to $60,000 in horticultural scholarships for students enrolled in secondary and post-secondary programs across Ontario and provides funding to many vital research projects that aim to improve and advance the industry. Find out more at OHTF.ca.
