Joe Firmager

2025 | Horticulture

Scholarship supported by the Pike family

“I am deeply inspired by how plants and the Horticulture industry can affect even the busiest  people and have a lasting impact on our health inside and out.”

My Scholarship focus is on reconnecting society with nature through ancient and modern knowledge — using sustainable materials like hemp and mycelium, promoting biological fertilisers that support soil health and biological activity, and creating urban spaces for sustainable crops through aquaponics.

I hope to meet Sarah E Edwards and her research team at Kew Gardens and learn from her about the relationships indigenous cultures have with their endemic plants. I would also love to visit the Eden Project, where people can experience biomes from all over the world and appreciate the need to preserve nature.

At BIOHM, a biotech company in London, I hope to learn about using micro organisms to break down plastics and about their mycelium bricks for construction.

“Joe’s passion is obvious and grounded in research and knowledge. He demonstrates a great commitment to learning, connecting and sharing knowledge along with teaching the younger generations.”

– Assessment Panel