History

Since its inception in 1998, the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF), formerly the ALCA Educational Foundation, was created to help the future leaders of our industry fund their education.  Committed to the advancement of landscape industry services, the Foundation raised more than $1 million during the initial launch year through the generous support of individual landscape contractors, industry suppliers, and from the students themselves.

To date, this now $3.8 million foundation has awarded more than $816,000 in academic scholarships.  In March 2014, the PLANET AEF presented 47 scholarships and awards, totaling $79,300, at PLANET’s 38th annual Student Career Days event. The scholarships were distributed to students at a special reception, sponsored by STIHL Inc., and highlighted during the Closing Ceremony.