Awards and Scholarships

 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Honoring

 

BILL AND JANE FISCHER

                                                                                                                                 

Bill Fischer started his career with the University of California Cooperative Extension in 1954 as an assistant in Stockton where he conducted his first weed control trial in Tokay grapes near Lodi.  After three years in Stockton, he was appointed Farm Advisor in Fresno County with responsibilities for agronomic crops (corn, sorghum, wheat, barley, oats, and rice) and weed control in cropped and non-cropped areas.  Gradually, Bill relinquished his responsibilities in cereal crops and concentrated on weed control, or, as he preferred to call it, "vegetation management"

Bill used applied research trials to develop new information and as teaching tools to demonstrate the effectiveness of selective herbicides as vegetation management tools. Bill's Extension education philosphy is best expressed by the following quotation: "My information is no information until you are informed of my information." His yearly vegetation management tours were popular and well attended. Publications summarizing his applied research studies were widely distributed. Bill published 50 volumes of Runcina containing summaries of his vegetation management studies in many crops grown in Fresno County. He contributed to several text books, IPM Manuals, and wrote many articles that appeared in scientific and popular journals. His use of visuals will be long remembered by his contemporaries.

Bill and his wife, Jane, traveled widely during four sabbatical leaves.  Jane assisted in photographing the weeds contained in the Growers Weed Identification Handbook, a publication of the University of California.

Bill retired in 1991, as Farm Advisor Emeritus. Family, friends, and colleagues established a Vegetation Management Scholarship to honor Bill and Jane, and to promote the study of vegetation management as an important aspect of agriculture/plant science.

The Bill and Jane Fischer Vegetation Management Scholarship provides an award of approximately $1,000 each year for individuals enrolled in graduate studies in vegetation management/weed science. One or more awards may be made annually. The amount of the award(s) may vary with available funds. Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. 

Selection Criteria:

Students from any accredited California university are eligible.  Preference will be given to graduate students.  Successful candidates will have demonstrated an interest in vegetation management (weed control) careers and will have a major or concentration in one of the following areas (listed in order of preference): 

  • Vegetation management in agricultural crop production.
  • Plant Science with emphasis on vegetation management in horticultural crops, agronomic, or vegetable crops.

  • Soils and Plant Nutrition with emphasis on field, vegetable crop relationships.

  • Agricultural Engineering with emphasis on developing tools for vegetation management.

  • Agricultural Botany with emphasis on weed biology and weed ecology.

  • Plant Pathology with emphasis on integrated vegetation management.

  • Plant Protection and Pest Management with emphasis on field, vegetable, or horticultural crop relationships.

  • Agricultural Economics with emphasis on vegetation management in field, vegetable, or horticultural crops.  

Procedures for Application:

Completed 2008-09 scholarship applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 30, 2008.  Send application and supporting documents to the Office of Development Services, University of California - Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607.  An official transcript and two reference letters completed by a professor, academic advisor, or an individual knowledgeable of the applicant's abilities and potential, must accompany the application.  The monetary award will be mailed directly to the successful candidate in the Fall, upon proof of registration at an accredited California university.  

Fischer Online Application

 

Fischer Printable Application