What Are You Doing Later Today?
Later today (March 18), GPN will be presenting a free, one-hour webcast featuring three alums from our 40 under 40 program who will be providing their perspective on many of the issues facing our industry in 2021.
Brian Austin, head grower at Dutch Heritage Gardens; Marta Maria Garcia, marketing director at Nature’s Way Farms; and Stephanie Whitehouse, retail general manager at Dickman Farms will be joining Jasmina Dolce and I for a candid conversation on such topics as lessons learned from 2020, production plans for 2021, post-pandemic trends, selling to today’s consumers and the impact of COVID on their operations.
During the roundtable, Austin, Garcia and Whitehouse will provide their fresh perspective on what has been happening in our industry over the past 12 months and where they think things might be headed in the future. It’s sure to be a lively and informative discussion.
The webcast, sponsored by BioWorks, will take place this afternoon at 2 p.m. EDT.
You can register for this free webinar by clicking here.
Home Depot Launches Line of Environmentally-Friendly Power Garden Equipment
The Home Depot is launching a new suite of outdoor power equipment that give home gardeners and professionals the ease of use and environmental benefits of battery-operated machines, but with the power and run time of gas equipment. The tools are easy to start, quieter, do not produce carbon emissions and eliminate the need for gas and oil. The batteries for the outdoor tools, like trimmers and blowers, are interchangeable with their other power tools such as drills, impact drivers and more. “Battery-powered products are easier to use, more environmentally friendly and have the power and runtime of gas to help our customers complete their outdoor projects,” said Jeff Kinnaird, executive vice president of merchandising.
Tractor Supply Helps Raise Funds for Sustainable Growing Projects
Tractor Supply Co. has raised nearly $800,000 for its sixth annual Grants for Growing fundraiser. The funds will be used to support sustainable agriculture projects led by FFA students across the country. The Grants for Growing fundraiser kicked off in February, when Tractor Supply customers and team members were invited to purchase FFA paper emblems and share what FFA meant to them. The dollars raised from those purchases will directly fund grants up to $5,000 that will be used to support agricultural education and development. “Tractor Supply is committed to providing educational and hands-on experiences for future leaders in the agricultural field,” said Christi Korzekwa, SVP of marketing at Tractor Supply. More information on the program is available at www.FFA.org/GrantsforGrowing.
Lowe’s Debuts 100 Hometowns Project
To celebrate its 100th birthday, Lowe’s is debuting 100 Hometowns, an initiative to complete 100 impact projects as part of a $10 million commitment to give back to communities. Lowe’s is seeking nominations of hometown projects in need of restoration, sharing their hometown stories and helping to demonstrate the possibility all neighborhoods hold. Lowe’s will award 100 grants to help recipients complete projects to beautify, build, repair, inspire and improve 100 communities. “In approaching our centennial … we decided to commemorate this milestone by taking on 100 community improvement projects, with local associate volunteers lending a hand across the nation. We believe in the power of possibility and have an unwavering commitment to making homes better for all, now and for the next 100 years,” said CEO Marvin Ellison.