Syngenta announces national Grow More Vegetables seed grant recipients and opens 2015 application period

GREENSBORO, N.C., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Syngenta congratulates the recently named recipients of the Syngenta Grow More Vegetables seed grant program, selected from applicants from across the U.S. The three stand-out honorees will be awarded garden grant packages that support their efforts to educate local communities on the benefits of fresh vegetable production and consumption. Applications for 2015 grants in the below categories will be accepted March 18 through midnight Sept. 15, 2015.

On the local level, the grant program is an example of The Good Growth Plan; a plan comprised of six commitments Syngenta has made to address the global food security challenge with specific and measurable targets which focus on boosting resource efficiency, rejuvenating ecosystems and strengthening rural communities.

The 2014 category recipients are:

• Elementary and Middle School Category — Hawthorne Elementary School (Mesa, Arizona)
• High School and FFA Chapter Category — Chemistry through Agriculture, Edward Little High School (Auburn, Maine)
• Community Garden Category — Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (Milwaukee)

In the urban community of Mesa, Arizona, many students live in homes that provide little to no opportunity for gardening. But thanks to the garden program at Hawthorne Elementary School, fourth- and fifth-grade students are able to participate in project-based learning activities that broaden their science, math, and reading skills through hands-on experience. Program coordinator and teacher Lauren Cluff described the program as a mission to give the students and their families a source of pride. "We want the families to be happy that their kids are here and to feel they're getting a special opportunity," Cluff said.

For 100 high school students and their nearly 500 elementary-aged Garden Buddies enrolled in the Chemistry through Agriculture Program in Auburn, Maine, agriculture acts as a vehicle for chemistry lessons, giving value to the concepts and increasing skills retention. Students learn the importance of gardening, nutrition, and seed germination, in addition to completing service-learning projects. "Through this program, we have the opportunity to watch high school students, who are usually rough-and-tumble, work with elementary school kids and really make a difference by teaching them about agriculture and food," said Chemistry through Agriculture teacher Kim Finnerty.

Located in urban Milwaukee, the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) is committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of the entire community by initiating diversified social, educational, recreational, and cultural programs. During the growing season, the JCC garden (known as "The Growers Partner's Project") impacts people of all ages, including about 500 campers with special needs, 200 campers described as underprivileged, 300 campers and family members from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and thousands of families that rely on the Jewish Community Pantry. The fresh produce helps feed a nutritious diet to more than 8,330 households annually. "This garden benefits the urban Milwaukee community because it exposes children of all backgrounds and abilities to gardening and brings a nutritious food source to many families in need," said Lynn Falender, JCC Development Director.

"Each year we are impressed by the thriving programs taking shape in schools and communities across the U.S.," said Mary Streett DeMers, Syngenta vegetables communications lead. "We are inspired by the efforts of program coordinators and participants to educate students about healthy habits and improve the quality of life for students and residents in their local community."

The Syngenta Grow More Vegetables seed grant program works to increase hands-on educational opportunities and enhance healthy eating programs in our communities as well as reinforce and support programming of The Good Growth Plan; the grant program is led by DeMers and Jeannine Bogard, Syngenta garden vegetables product business manager.

"In our third year of applications, we are excited to read about and select three of the unique programs through which so many communities are being educated on the benefits of fresh vegetable production and consumption," said Bogard.

To apply by Sept. 15 or learn more about the Syngenta Grow More Vegetables Seed Grant Program, visit www.vegetables.syngenta-us.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.SyngentaUS.com.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com.

Web Resources:
Syngenta
Syngenta Vegetables
Good Growth Plan
Syngenta Vegetables FarmAssist
Syngenta Home Garden Vegetables
Know More, Grow More
Hawthorne Elementary
Chemistry through Agriculture, Edward Little High
Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center

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