Temple University Ambler Horticulture senior Russell Galanti has spent the past few years honing his craft on campus and well beyond.

His talents and dedication to horticulture were recently recognized by the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. The society presented Galanti, a Philadelphia resident, with the Fred Winter Memorial Award for Excellence in Horticulture for 2015 during special ceremonies held at the Union League in November.

The $1,000 award is part of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture's scholarship program and is made possible by the generous support of Barbara Winter, Dr. Fred Winter's widow, who was on hand to present the award. The award recognizes students majoring in horticulture with plans to pursue a career in a related horticulture industry.

"The recipients are required to meet certain educational metrics and evidence of work experience within the field of horticulture. (Galanti) is the first Temple student to win the award," said William Mifflin, a member of the Ambler Campus and School of Design Board of Visitors and a Temple alumnus. "As a past president of the society combined with my SED connections, I was honored to recognize Russell, who hopes to pursue a career in agricultural forestry with an interest in breadfruit tree research and is hoping to pursue an advanced degree at the University of Hawaii."

In addition to completing his horticulture degree at Temple, Galanti has extensive work experience at Longwood Gardens, the California School of Garden Design, High Glen Gardens and the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

The Fred Winter Memorial Award for Excellence in Horticulture is named in honor of Dr. Fred Winter a renowned gardener, horticulturalist and ardent rhododendron propagator from Pottstown, PA. His farm — Schuylkill Navigation Company Farm — is listed in the archives of American Gardens of the Smithsonian.

The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture (PSPA) is America's oldest continually operating society to promote agriculture innovation. The 136-member organization meets monthly in Philadelphia and promotes progressive, productive and sustainable agriculture through presentations and visits to farms, universities and research institutions. The membership includes large and small farmers, government and academic staff and agriculture-related businesses.

Information and photo provided by the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.