Schiller Grounds Care, manufacturer of landscape and garden-friendly tools under the brand names of BOB-CAT, Bunton, Classen, Little Wonder, Mantis, Ryan and Steiner, and the National Gardening Association last week announced the winners of the 2012 Mantis Awards. The nationally recognized Mantis Awards for Community & Youth Gardens completes its 17th year having provided nearly 300 community and educational gardening groups with tillers to help establish and maintain their gardens.
Each year, NGA helps to present the Mantis Award to charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. More than 800 applications were received for the 2012 Mantis Awards from school programs, non-profits, and community gardens across the United States each demonstrating a passion and commitment to teaching the many benefits of gardens.
2012 Mantis Awards winners were selected to receive the Mantis Award based on the creativity of their programs, the innovativeness of their approach, and the long-term sustainability of their plans.
Twenty-five applicants were selected to receive a Mantis Tiller in their choice of gas-powered 2-cycle engine or electric motor valued at $349.
2012 Mantis Awards Winners:
- Communities in Schools of Forsyth County - Walnut Cove, N.C.
- Children’s Attention Home Charter School - Rock Hill, S.C.
- Regional Environmental Council of Central MA (REC) - Worcester, Mass.
- City of Kingston - Kingston, N.Y.
- Growing Together Giving Garden - Phoenix
- Urban Ministries of Wake County - Raleigh, N.C.
- Tempe Community Action Agency - Tempe, Ariz.
- Palos Hills Resource and Rec. Dept - Palos Hills, Ill.
- Public Health Fund Incorporated - Tory, Mo.
- Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation - Monterey Park, Calif.
- Southern Trinity Joint USD - Bridgeville, Calif.
- ECHO Housing Corp. - Evansville, Ind.
- Wattles Farm and Neighborhood Gardeners - Los Angeles
- DeVries Nature Conservancy - Owosso, Mich.
- Aroostook Band of Micmacs - Presque Isle, Maine
- Full Spectrum Farms - Cullowhee, N.C.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire/Youth Enrichment Services - Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Hali’imaile Community Garden - Kahului, Hawaii
- Marshall School and Community Garden - Marshall, Ark.
- Butte Communities Improvement Association - Arco, Idaho
- Dahlonega School/Community Garden - Stilwell, Okla.
- Gardendale Elementary Magnet School - Merritt Island, Fla.
- Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) - Salida, Colo.
- Coastal Women for Change - Biloxi, Miss.
- Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation - Kennesaw, Ga.
To learn more about the Mantis Awards for Community & Youth Gardens and attain complete application criteria, visit www.garden.org or www.kidsgardening.com.
Founded in 1973, NGA is a national nonprofit leader in plant-based education. Its mission is to promote home, school and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants and the environment.
