The Western Reserve Herb Society is proud of both its 2022 scholarship winners: Olivia Krum and Katelyn Fulcher.

Katelyn Fulcher

Katelyn Fulcher, a student at The Ohio State University in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences has been named the recipient of the 2022 Western Reserve Herb Society Scholarship. Majoring in Sustainable Plant Systems with a specialization in Agroecology, Katelyn has a passion for botany and understanding how plants interact with the world around them. Currently she is performing research on chile peppers, working to help us better understand the genetic diversity and responses across wild and cultivated varieties at their most vulnerable life stage: as seedlings. During a time of climate change, this research may have important implications for chiles use as a major food crop across Mesoamerica.

The $14,000 awarded to her will help her pursue her studies in botany and plant ecology. “I am extremely humbled and grateful to be the recipient of this scholarship,” says Katelyn. “This generosity is a blessing and allows me to focus fully on my research and what I am able to learn”.

In addition to her studies at Ohio State, Katelyn is the proud owner of her own business, Waterleaf Horizons LLC, where she manages plant life in both wild and urban ecosystems for the most ecological benefit. “My passion for plant life extends to the wild places where plants are often overlooked for their lack of bright flowers, despite the irreplaceable role they play in our ecosystems. Bringing a location such as a flower bed or an unused field back to life with the use of native plant species is incredibly rewarding. The ecology of our gardens is just as important as their beauty”. Katelyn’s efforts merge the fields of botany, horticulture, and conservation with a unique perspective.