The Wayne County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association recently presented $500 college scholarships to two Wayne County students.

Natalia Garcia, of Goldsboro, is a rising junior at North Carolina State University. Natalia is pursuing a degree in horticultural science with a minor in art and landscape design. She plans to design beautiful landscapes on a global scale along with incorporating humanitarian work by using gardening as therapy.

Jacob Hinson, of Princeton, is a rising junior at North Carolina State University. Jacob is pursuing a double major in animal and poultry science. He plans to use his degree towards a career in research of production agriculture related to livestock.

The Wayne County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association Scholarship is to assist a Wayne County high school senior or full time college student who has a desire to work in the horticulture or agriculture industry. The scholarship is based on academic achievement, leadership characteristics, career plans in horticulture or agriculture, future plans for enhancing the quality of life for themselves as well as their communities.

The Wayne County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program is through NC Cooperative Extension where volunteers are trained to assist their local extension office with enhancing public education in consumer horticulture. The association raises funds during the year to provide scholarships that promote the horticulture and agriculture industry by assisting students entering these fields of study.