RAYN Growing Systems is excited to announce that two teams from the Johnston-Brock FFA program were selected as semi-finalists for the RAYN Growing Systems microTank contest. The microTank contest challenged students to create and pitch their own business venture based around microgreens and RAYN’s microRack. Groups of students presented their ideas to a panel of five judges who currently own or run their own agriculture-related business. Five groups were chosen as semi-finalists for the contest and will receive their own microRack and supplies (a value of $1800 each) free of charge to begin operating the businesses they pitched. Additionally, semifinalists will receive mentorship from the microTank judges to help guide them through the process of creating their own business.

Members of Johnston-Brock FFA who weren’t selected as semi-finalists received feedback on their business plans and gained invaluable experience in creating and pitching their own business. Speaking on the contest, FFA teacher Dawn Metschke had this to say, “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."

The two teams that were selected from Johnston-Brock are Sprout and Grow Co. and The Garnish Gals. Both teams featured three Johnston-Brock students who will receive their own RAYN microRack to begin their business operations. Both teams plan to start serving residential customers in the coming months with plants to eventually sell their microgreens to local restaurants and grocers. Sprout and Grow Co.’s proposal detailed a community-focused approach to their business with a plan to sell affordable and approachable microgreens at farmers’ markets and other community events. The Garnish Gals business plan leans on social media, pop-up shops, and other digital marketing avenues to fuel their growth. Be on the lookout for Sprout and Grow Co. or Garnish GALS microgreen on your next visit to the farmers' market, grocery store, or your favorite restaurant!