Landscape Student, Aiden Cudhea, Receives Merit Scholarship from Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association

27 Apr 2022

Vermont Tech announces that Aiden Cudhea, a student studying Landscape Contracting, has received a merit scholarship from Vermont Nursery and Landscaping Association (VNLA).

“It is probably one of my greatest achievements to be recognized by an organization full of the top landscaping professionals in the state of Vermont,” said Cudhea. “I am glad that Vermont Tech has such a positive relationship with the organization, because it really benefits students entering the landscaping field.”

The faculty at Vermont Tech’s Landscape Contracting Program nominated Cudhea for the merit award, noting his dedication to his studies, perseverance, and a sincere plan to have a career in the green industry in Vermont. He recently completed an independent project in landscape construction that he tackled with passion and creativity. His positive attitude is an asset to all around him.

Cudhea chose Vermont Tech for its small class sizes and focus on hands-on learning. He says the diversity in class structures is something that plays to many learning styles.

Receiving this award was a pleasant surprise for Cudhea, and something that he sees himself taking with him as he enters the landscaping industry. As the recipient of this award, he also receives a one-year free membership from VNLA.

Cudhea spends a lot of time in the greenhouse on the Vermont Tech campus. He said that since many of the landscape contracting classes are heavily lab-oriented, having a resource like a greenhouse connected to a classroom is an ideal scenario.

Cudhea also spends a lot of time in the landscaping drafting studio, where all the landscape design classes take place. “It’s not only a place where landscape contracting majors learn to create landscape design plans, but it also serves as a place to present some of our work to other faculty members as well as professionals from the landscaping industry,” he said.

Upon graduation, Cudhea hopes to help people in the community and create beautiful landscapes wherever he lands.

Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech

The Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech prepares students for a wide range of careers in the green industry. Students gain technical, business, creative, and scientific skills necessary to grow a variety of plant crops and to design and manage landscapes that enhance the environment and the daily lives of those who use them.

Specifically, students learn to create comprehensive and holistic landscapes by integrating fundamental design principles and cultural and aesthetic knowledge of ornamental plants and the natural systems that support them. Students also gain technical skills in materials and methods of construction; site engineering, such as grading and drainage; greenhouse and nursery environmental systems; integrated pest management; and the use of appropriate computer applications. Students become fluent in design practices such as analyzing a site for the best design fit, taking site measurements and creating base maps, developing conceptual design ideas, and creating planting plans and master plans for real-world residential and community projects.  Students develop a wide range of horticultural skills, including identifying and propagating woody and herbaceous ornamental plants, diagnosing and creating preventive plans for insect and disease problems, and managing nutrients and water for plant crops.
Learn more about the Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech. We also offer a scholarship fund for Landscaping students titled the Randolph Garden Club Scholarship.

The Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association / Green Works, established in 1964, is a non-profit professional organization for the horticultural industry in Vermont. Members include growers, retailers, garden centers and nurseries; landscape architects, designers and contractors; arborists, turf specialists, industry representatives, allied trades people, students and educators. The VNLA’s mission is to support and strengthen the horticulture industry of Vermont through programming and certification as well as create greater awareness of the benefits of landscaping and the professional services and products our members offer to the buying public. For more information, visit: vnlavt.org