July 17, 2023 - Turf Matters

FairWays Foundation receives record applications: Founded in 2019 and currently in its 4th grant cycle, The FairWays Foundation has received a record number of applications and is now in the process of reviewing the 48 projects that qualified for Grant Committee consideration.

Projects undergo and stringent review process throughout the summer, with board approvals taking place in September. All successful grantees will be announced in October.

FairWays Foundation receives record applications

In 2022, The FairWays Foundation completed its third grant cycle, bringing the total funding to $441,791 since its inception with 29 projects supported across the USA, Canada and UK. It is anticipated that total funding will surpass the $600,000 mark this year.

Greg Lovell, President of The FairWays Foundation said, “We are extremely happy with this year’s grant applications. The quality and variety of projects is amazing. We have a record number of applications from a record number of countries and access to a record dollar amount to award.”

The FairWays Foundation is a stand-alone 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting conservation and stewardship within the turf industry and beyond. The foundation supports conservation-based projects both big and small by granting funds to successful applicants globally.

To view more information about all the projects that have been supported in our previous funding cycles, click here.

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Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians: John Deere has launched a ground-breaking resettlement programme for military service personnel, offering new career opportunities working on some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships.

Ex-service personnel offered careers as machinery technicians

Responding to a global shortage of qualified technicians in the machinery sector, John Deere’s Military Hiring Programme will follow in the footsteps of a hugely-successful scheme launched in the United States which attracts more than 1,000 potential new recruits a year.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“The armed forces produces people who are highly skilled, motivated and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians.

“It’s the perfect fit for John Deere – we are able to play our part in supporting those resettling following careers in the armed forces while also attracting a different pool of people into the business.”

Signalling its commitment, John Deere has this week signed the Armed Forces Covenant; a pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

Military personnel have been identified as a key source of talent for the machinery sector as many have already worked with some of the systems and products John Deere uses, making the transition straightforward.

Qualified technicians working across John Deere’s dealer network are required to service and maintain the vast range of machinery the company manufactures for customers in the UK and Ireland.

While the company is best known for its tractors, sprayers, combines, and other agricultural machinery, John Deere is also a leading provider of mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles used by groundscare professionals to maintain golf courses, sports pitches and amenity land.

Recruits will use the latest automation, artificial intelligence and guidance technologies to ensure customers always get the best performance and utilisation from their machines.

“Those who have served are experts at working under pressure and logically solving problems in order to keep a machine operational,” Allan says. “These are the skills John Deere dealerships need to keep the wheels turning.”

Those signing up to the programme will be offered free technical training to help them apply their current skills to John Deere products and services. There are more than 70 courses on offer.

“Everyone who signs up will be assigned to an employee from the John Deere network who has served in the armed forces who will be there to support each individual during the resettlement process,” Allan says.

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.Deere.com/JDMHP.

After making contact, they will be put in touch with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled following a career in the armed forces to discuss all potential options.