Springfield, Illinois (July 25, 2024) – The BRANDT Foundation awarded five grants to charitable organizations at its most recent semi-annual Board meeting. The grantees, all 501(c)3 organizations in good standing for the past three years, boast close ties to the agriculture industry and the local communities where BRANDT operates its businesses.
Sparc – This grant will establish the “Brandt Foundation Garden at Sparc,” launching elevated community garden beds and a wheelchair-accessible greenhouse at the Sparc Work Center, plus raised bed gardens at select group homes. These gardens will enable approximately 250 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers, promoting physical activity, enhancing nutrition, and providing meaningful vocational opportunities. A farmers market booth will allow participants to sell produce and gain workforce skills, furthering Sparc’s mission to enrich lives and foster independence.
Progressive Agriculture Foundation – With this grant, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation will strengthen its Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program, a one-day community event focusing on rural safety and health education for children ages 8-13. Volunteers and local coordinators deliver hands-on lessons on farm machinery safety, mental well-being, and other tailored topics. Now entering its third decade, Progressive Agriculture Safety Day has grown into North America’s largest rural safety and health program for children, thanks in part to the ongoing support of industry partners like The BRANDT Foundation.
Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens / Kumler Outreach Ministries – This grant will fund the construction of a greenhouse at 1022 N. Fifth Street in Springfield, further expanding the Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens’ capacity to provide free or low-cost seedlings for community members. The planned greenhouse will feature a heated and cooled environment for growing culturally-relevant foods, native pollinator plants, and produce for local donation. The garden already hosts free children’s ecology programs, summer events, and a weekly produce distribution in partnership with Kumler Outreach Ministries Food Pantry.
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA – The BRANDT Foundation’s support will help sustain the Tampa Y’s “Veggie Van: A Mobile Marketplace,” which brings fresh produce directly to underserved neighborhoods identified as food deserts or food swamps. Families in the Tampa area can pick up complimentary fruits and vegetables from the Veggie Van at rotating distribution sites, eliminating transportation barriers and offering nutritional resources. By providing reliable access to healthy foods, the YMCA furthers its mission of building a healthier spirit, mind, and body for all.
Abundant Life Ranch – Located in Sanger, California, Abundant Life Ranch offers ranch-based experiences that teach communication, trust, and respect—critical life skills for those recovering from trauma or economic disadvantage. This grant will support the 2024-2025 ALR Ag Education Project, building on the success of a previously funded garden and orchard. Participants learn hands-on agricultural practices, including composting, pruning, soil preparation, and harvesting. By cultivating and cooking fresh produce, participants gain practical skills and self-confidence, reflecting the Ranch’s mission to nurture abundant lives through a connection with horses, ranch living, and agriculture.
“These five grants illustrate our commitment to agricultural education, healthy communities, and empowering individuals,” said Rick Brandt, President of The BRANDT Foundation. “We are proud to invest in innovative programs that expand opportunities for those in need and enrich lives where we do business.”
The BRANDT Foundation is a private foundation funded through donations from BRANDT, Team BRANDT employees and other generous supporters. Its mission is “to provide meaningful assistance and support to the communities, farms and families where BRANDT has facilities.”