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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/141617
INDUSTRY NEWS OPEI awards $5,000 grant to Kentucky elementary school Discovery Education and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's (OPEI) Education Foundation recently announced the grand prize winner and two runners-up of TurfMutt's second annual national "Spruce Up Your School" sweepstakes. The national TurfMutt program — named after Lucky, a real-life rescue dog — is a dynamic digital curriculum that encourages kids and their families to protect and foster green space in their communities, and advocates for animal rescue and adoption initiatives. The TurfMutt curriculum has reached more than one million students across the United States, and it is featured on the websites of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Department of Energy, and the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. Kim Davidson, a teacher at Morgan Elementary School in Paducah, Ky., won the grand prize on behalf of her entire school. Morgan Elementary received a $5,000 grant to introduce more green space around school grounds and play areas, and all of the school's students received a TurfMutt backpack with school supplies. Davidson entered the TurfMutt sweepstakes, hoping to create a vibrant play area around the school and encourage environmental awareness through the care of more green space. Discovery Education and OPEI presented Davidson and Morgan Elementary School with the grand prize check on May 24, along with a surprise visit from Lucky, the TurfMutt spokesdog. Morgan Elementary School plans on using the $5,000 grant to build the "TurfMutt Outdoor Science Lab." "Since we are located in the very heart of Paducah, our children get limited access to natural, green space areas," said Vicki Conyer, principal at Morgan Elementary School. "Thanks to OPEI and Discovery Education, this makeover will give our students expanded outdoor experiences and enjoyment for years to come." "For the second year in a row, we've had a terrific response from teachers across the country," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "Teachers understand that green space around the school helps kids be more active, investigate how things grow, and learn about their unique ecosystem. The only way to learn about the outdoors is to get outdoors, and that is what the TurfMutt program is all about." The two runners-up in the TurfMutt Sweepstakes are teachers Becky Adams from Hearn Academy in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Robert Voss from Yorktown Elementary School in Yorktown, Ind. Students in these two winning classrooms will receive TurfMutt-branded "Green Packs" that contain eco-friendly school supplies, including a canvas backpack, lunch bag, colored pencils, and a water bottle. For more information, visit www.TurfMutt.com. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and Discovery Education present the grand prize of TurfMutt's second annual "Spruce Up Your School" sweepstakes to Morgan Elementary School, Paducah, Ky. Pictured, from left to right, are as follows: Dr. Randy Greene, superintendent; Kim Davidson, winning teacher, Morgan Elementary School; Vicki Conyer, principal, Morgan Elementary School; Donald Shively, assistant superintendent; and Kris Kiser, president and CEO, OPEI. 10 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT OPEI expands and strengthens market statistics reporting For many years, the industry has looked to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) for business insight and market intelligence in the form of market reports and forecasting. Now, OPEI has increased the frequency and breadth of its market forecasts and reporting to help its members make thoughtful and timely business decisions about growing product sectors and expanding markets. The latest OPEI reporting includes new monthly data for global golf maintenance products and select electric/battery-powered outdoor power equipment. "OPEI's market statistics reporting has really become a signature member benefit, and we are now on a path to continually expand the monthly reporting by including alternative power sources and international data," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "Through this real-time reporting, members receive strategic statistics analysis and forecasting, helping them quickly adapt to changing market situations and developing economic conditions." Specifically, the new, expanded monthly shipment reports now include data on the following: • Global Golf shipments, covering equipment used in golf course grounds maintenance, including multi-deck rotary mowers, riding greens mowers, trimplex trim mowers, and walking greens mowers • Electric OPE, including electric walk-behind mowers and electric blowers "We credit the first-rate quality of our market reporting to our memberdriven committee of market analysis professionals, as well as our state-ofthe-art IT which ensures our reporting is timely, accurate, and abides by the highest confidentiality," added Kiser. For additional information, visit www.opei.org. www.outdoorpowerequipment.com