Johnson-Brock FFA Teams Semifinalists in National Agribusiness Contest

RAYN Growing Systems announced that two teams from  Johnson-Brock FFA have been selected as semi-finalists in the RAYN Growing Systems microTank contest. 
They are Sprout and Grow Co. and The Garnish Gals. Both featured three students each. They plan to serve residential customers in the coming months with plants and eventually sell their microgreens to local restaurants and grocers. Sprout and Grow Co.’s proposal detailed a community-focused approach with a plan to sell affordable and approachable microgreens at farmers’ markets and other events. The Garnish Gals business plan leans on social media, pop-up shops and other digital marketing avenues.
Students were challenged to create and pitch their business venture based around microgreens and RAYN’s microRack. Groups presented their ideas to five judges who own or operate their own agriculture-related business. Five were chosen semifinalists. They will receive their own microRack and supplies, valued at $1,800 each to begin operating the businesses they pitched. They will also receive mentorship from the microTank judges to help guide them through creating their own business. 
Johnson-Brock FFA students who weren’t selected as semi-finalists received feedback on their business plans. They gained invaluable experience in creating and pitching their own business. 
“During the National FFA Convention, I came across the RAYN booth where I heard more about the microTank contest and was given the starter materials for growing microgreens and the contest workbook, which had information on creating a business pitch. Thankfully, I have a great group of students in our new Integrated Agriscience course who were willing to give their best effort to try something new. The contest and the materials provided were easy for the students to grasp, and engaging with students ultimately developed real-life business and agriculture skills,” noted Dawn Metschke, Johnson-Brock FFA advisor.
For more information on how RAYN Growing Systems is impacting classrooms and local communities, visit www.RAYN.ag.