DAN COOPER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Dan Cooper was a long-time Secretary/Treasurer of the Iowa State Horticultural Society and was the State Horticulturist from 1982 to 1995. Dan devoted much of his life to the people involved in the horticulture industry. He established a scholarship for students interested in majoring in horticultural science. For Dan, the greatest legacy the Iowa State Horticulture Society could provide was to help send a student to an Iowa university or community college to study the art and science of horticulture. Dan helped support Iowa's non-commercial horticulture organizations by encouraging numerous planting, beautification, and educational projects. He was a strong supporter of the Iowa Arboretum and helped with its creation. As Secretary-Treasurer of the ISHS, he was actively involved with its affiliate organizations. He helped to start the Iowa Horticulturist magazine that was in production for many years. Dan played a key role in persuading Congress to establish the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program that today provides low-income seniors and families in the WIC Program access to locally-grown fresh produce. Dan also promoted horticulture in Iowa at all levels, from soliciting directional DOT signage for horticultural businesses to lobbying for changes in the Federal Crop Insurance Program. About Dan, former Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad said, "He was a dedicated public servant who gave generously of his time and talent to help others. The Memorial Grove dedicated to the victims of the bombing in Oklahoma City was a Dan Cooper idea. For information on scholarships, please contact Barb Clawson at bclawson@iastate.edu .