Partnering for the next generation

Toro is partnering with Brentsville District High School in Prince William County, Virginia, to help cultivate the next generation of turfgrass managers. Starting this fall, Brentsville District High School will rebrand their turfgrass program as the Brentsville Turf Toro Grounds Academy.

Since 2016, Dr. Drew Miller has served as the director of the Turfgrass Management Program at Brentsville District High School. This program is the first of its kind and has an attendance of more than 200 students annually. As a result, graduates of this program have gone to top college turf programs and into professional roles in the industry. Currently, 18 graduates are enrolled in full-time turf programs at top U.S. colleges and universities, and eight graduates have taken roles in professional sports, university athletics and golf courses.

The Turfgrass Management Program takes students beyond the classroom and provides them with real-world experience in environments, equipment and grounds teams. Some experiences the students have had in recent years include field prep for the ACC Championship Game, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Sports Field Management Association student competitions. Brentsville students have competed against collegiate programs around the country and have won several awards. 

“Working with Toro is a dream, both for myself and for the students,” Miller said. “The dedication that Toro has to quality products, training and safety is critical to inspiring and educating the next generation of professionals in this industry.”

In support of the Brentsville Turf Toro Grounds Academy, Toro and its local distribution partner, Turf Equipment and Supply Company, have dedicated themselves to helping the program transition to a complete fleet of Toro equipment. Toro will also help develop classroom sessions that will include topics such as safety, maintenance, career development and more. Toro is also investing in Brentsville students beyond their time in the Grounds Academy through two $2,500 scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors pursuing a two- or four-year degree in turf management or engineering programs.

“We are invested in the future of turfgrass professionals,” Toro marketing manager Lindsay Tucker said. “In order to fully prepare students for a career in turfgrass, we believe they should learn on the best equipment possible and we are proud to partner with Brentsville District High School to help achieve that goal.”