Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc. financially supports several yearly scholarships to assist students that are learning about horticulture, botany and related fields. To inquire about any of these scholarships, please contact us at greenthumbgardenclubinc@gmail.com.
Mercer Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a qualified student(s) from Walton County whose academia includes horticulture or botany. The Chair is responsible for promoting GTGC with schools vetting applicants based on the approved Club standard and rules. The Chair presents the applicant(s) for approval to the President and board members for final selection. The scholarship amount may vary. The Scholarship is funded from donations collected each year through Ways and Means. The Scholarship must be used for his or her tuition and paid directly to the school on the students behalf. The student must present their winning essay to the membership.
Camp Timpoochee Scholarship
A Scholarship has been established to send a Walton County youth to 4-H Camp Timpoochee. The Camp is located on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay and is a coed summer camp for all youth aged 6-16 years. Day and residential summer camp programs are available. The camp staff are passionate about positive youth development and creating a memorable camp experience for all campers. Each week at summer camp has the traditional camp activities, like campfire, but will also have specific themed activities.
Naturalists Outdoor Program Scholarship
A scholarship has been established to send a qualified Walton County youth to the Naturalist Outdoor Program at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. The Naturalists Outdoors program is designed to help the Biophilia Center further its educational reach. This overnight, immersive program allows students to learn about the Longleaf Pine ecosystem, which was once prolific throughout the Southeastern United States.
The lessons in Naturalists Outdoors are founded upon the STEM-based curriculum already used by the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. We have taken these concepts and added higher learning elements for high school groups as well as land management skills and career opportunities.
Naturalists Outdoors groups also have the unprecedented opportunity to go out onto privately owned conservation land, Nokuse Plantation, in order to see conservation and preservation efforts in action.
Westonwood Ranch
Westonwood Ranch is a much-needed resource in our area. Their mission is to bridge the transition gap once teens and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities age out of the public school system. Life, job and social skills training allows these young adults to discover their potential and become empowered to live independent, productive lives.
Education programs include hands-on, experiential learning in their lettuce aquaponics farm, gourmet pet treat bakery, as well as equine therapy and animal care. The special farm animals at the Ranch provide a sense of calm, comfort and safety for the participants.
While the Freeport facility has expanded since 2015, so has the need for its services and, as a result, there is a waiting list. Future expansion projects are on the drawing board with plans to begin in 2025. Westonwood funding is through donors and sponsors. To learn more about their history and the vision of Westonwood Ranch, their website is westonwood.org.
