It’s down to the final four in The Toro Co.’s “Ready. Set. GROW!” grant program.
Per public voting on Facebook, the program will award $15,000 to growers and nonprofits that promote sustainable practices in agricultural communities in the U.S.
Finalists include:
- Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif., which would use the grant to support the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training program, training active-duty service members and veterans in sustainable agribusiness.
- North Louisiana Agri-Business Council in West Monroe, La., which would use the grant to create an educational display demonstrating the efficiencies of irrigation and best practices in water management. The display would be a part of Louisiana State University AgCenter’s Ag Alley, where more than 10,000 adults and children attend to learn and improve agricultural practices.
- Project Fine—Colorful Growers in Winona, Minn., which would use the grant to promote the use of water-saving technologies through education and demonstration, specifically focusing on youth ages 10 to 18.Its GreenCare for Communities programs bring ideas to the local level, promoting healthy diets and exercise by placing large focus on education, understanding and appreciating how food is grown in a sustainable manner.
- Shannon Ranch Elementary School in Visalia, Calif., which would use the grant to install a drip irrigation system to more efficiently irrigate the school garden. The area is used by students throughout the year to learn about life sciences, and would serve as a model on smart irrigation practices for the surrounding community.
Voting closes Nov. 19, when the organization with the most votes via the Facebook contest will receive $7,000; second will receive $4,000; and third- and fourth-place winners will each receive $2,000.
“We created this grant program to give back to the community and help support growers and organizations in their effort to apply more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices,” said Judson McNeil of the Toro Giving Program. “Each organization deserves to win, and we’re thrilled to help in some way with their efforts.”
