Johanna Roman Receives Honor

Alexandria, VA. The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is pleased to announce that Johanna Roman has been named the 2017 recipient of the Society’s Teaching Award, given to an individual whose ability to share his or her horticultural knowledge with others has contributed to a better public understanding of the plant world and its important influence on society. The award is one of the Great American Gardeners Awards that the AHS presents annually to individuals, organizations, and businesses that represent the best in American gardening. Each of the recipients has contributed significantly to fields such as scientific research, garden communication, landscape design, youth gardening, teaching, and conservation.

Roman has worked on international agricultural issues for Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research for most of her 25-year professional career. Her many achievements include creation of agricultural development projects in Latin America that have benefited thousands of small-scale farmers, women, and children. She has led numerous horticulture and nutrition training programs for kids in Central America. She also has served as a mentor and advisor to student and development organizations in Latin America and Africa working to improve horticultural techniques and food production programs.

In her current role as program manager for the nonprofit Conflict and Development Foundation, based in College Station, Texas, she works with student teams to create innovative solutions to problems farmers face. She also coordinates research on agricultural issues affecting rural women and youth.

On Thursday, June 8, 2017, the AHS will honor Roman and the other award recipients during the Great American Gardeners Awards Ceremony and Banquet, held at the Society’s River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

For full descriptions of each award and brief biographies of this year’s recipients, please visit www.ahsgardening.org/awards.