Eden Prairie, Minn. — ACH Seeds Crystal Brand Sugarbeet Seed celebrated the inaugural year of its Homegrown Giving program by awarding $10,000 to the Ubly FFA Chapter of Ubly, Michigan.
“We were honored to be both nominated and selected for this generous award,” says Melissa Kramer, Ubly FFA advisor. “This monetary donation will have a positive impact on our students, program and community by allowing us to expand our current programs and offer new leadership opportunities.”
The Homegrown Giving program was launched in the Great Lakes region of Michigan, designed to reward charitable organizations that advance agriculture in the communities Crystal beet seed growers call home.
Non-profit organizations were nominated throughout the year with the deserving recipient selected by a panel of local growers, industry representatives and ACH Seeds sales team members. The winner was selected based on the following criteria:
- Organizational need.
- Fit with ACH Seeds services and values.
- Organization's commitment to the local agriculture community.
“We plan to use this donation to cover the costs of building our school barn,” Kramer explains. “In the barn, our students will raise broiler chickens, sheep and goats. Once the chickens are market-ready, they will be harvested, and the students will give the whole chicken along with some vegetables they grew in the school greenhouse to provide meals to families in need. Students will learn many valuable lessons and skills with this project.”
Ubly FFA is in Michigan’s sugarbeet producing region and serves 155 students from Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties. Nearly half of its members come from families whose livelihood is attributed to the sugarbeet industry.
“I cannot think of a more deserving organization than Ubly FFA,” says Craig Gentner, nominator and local sugarbeet producer. “Mrs. Kramer is not only making a positive difference in the lives of her students, but she is also empowering her students to do the same for others. Ubly FFA is developing our citizens and leaders of tomorrow.”
Continuing Forward In 2023
To propel the Homegrown Giving program into next year, ACH Seeds will further the impact of this program to six additional customer regions. A total of seven non-profits, one from each region, will receive a $10,000 award. ACH Seeds is proud to promote investment and belief in rural communities.
For additional information on the Homegrown Giving program and to find out when to nominate a deserving nonprofit organization for 2023, visit homegrowngiving.com.