• Suståne for
    Nursery & Greenhouse

    Suståne's organic fertilizers have been formulated for the professional nursery, greenhouse, and landscape industries.


Overview

Sustainability is the message for our times. Since 1988 Suståne Natural Fertilizer is proud to be a part of this message and the global movement toward building a more sustainable world. Better land management, protection of our waters, saving and rebuilding soils, improving crop health and yields, helping professional growers and communities alike – all through the utilization of recycled, renewable natural resources – that’s Suståne. Suståne is the world’s leading manufacturer of granulated, organic and natural base slow release nitrogen fertilizers. Suståne products are manufactured in Minnesota (U.S.A.), are used locally, regionally and internationally. Suståne Natural Fertilizers are exported to over 60 different countries worldwide, used by professional turf and landscape managers, farmers, gardeners, growers and horticulturists.

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Suståne is the world’s leading manufacturer-exporter of organic and natural base slow release fertilizers for all green industries. Sustane is made from aerobically composted turkey litter combined with plant nutrients and soil amending ingredients in a homogeneous granule fertilizer.

Research Based Fertilizers and Soil Builders

  • Suståne is the most thoroughly researched organic fertilizer product available. Suståne products are backed by over 30 years of independent applied research on diverse crops and ecosystems.
  • Suståne products are safe and effective to use, USDA Biobased Certified and listed as Allowable for use in the production of Certified Organic Farming by the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI).
  • Suståne is manufactured in the U.S.A. and is used locally, regionally and internationally. Exported to over 60 different countries. Suståne Natural Fertilizers are used by professional turf and landscape managers, farmers, growers and horticulturists worldwide.

How Suståne is Made  

Made in Minnesota from Aerobically Composted Turkey Litter

CompostingConvertsTurkeyLitterinNutrientDenseHumus

 

Suståne is located in the agriculturally rich Midwestern region of the United States and is central to some of the highest number of turkey farms in the world. Turkey litter provides the base for most of Suståne’s Natural Fertilizers. Turkey litter consists of manure and the softwood shavings that is used as bedding. When the barns are cleaned the turkey litter collected is transported to The Suståne Compost Facility.

Suståne Aerobic Compost 

Suståne Compost Facility

The Suståne site is constructed on an impermeable, compacted clay liner and engineered to capture 100% of all precipitation that may come in contact with the compost. Collected runoff is recycled back into the composting windrows as needed or it is agronomically applied to surrounding crop land managed by the facility and area farmers as a low nutrient fertilizer. The compost facility also maintains subsurface monitoring wells both up gradient and down gradient that are sampled and tested three times annually to assure the safety and purity of the region’s groundwater. This facility has served as a model site for recycling agricultural materials.

aerobic compost facility

Like No Other Organic 

Research Driven Results

Suståne Natural Fertilizer separates from all other organic fertilizers. Since 1980 Suståne has compiled over 500 independent research studies to create the most effective and user friendly fertilizers available. Suståne consistently demonstrates superior results through growth studies conducted by scientists at many universities and independent research facilities around the world.

Suståne Quality Control 

Suståne staff are passionate about the job we do and the products we offer. The goal is simple: To produce the best organic on planet. With that, Suståne is one of the few organic fertilizer companies that is basic in its manufacturing. This means that Suståne controls the raw materials, the composting process and manufacturing process from start to finish.

Unlike many of the other “organic fertilizer” companies Suståne is not simply a marketing company that purchases finished product from toll manufacturers, wraps it in fancy packaging and hypes it with generalized platitudes about how good it is. Suståne operates its own full time, in-house analytical chemistry lab. Every product is tested to assure that it meets the labeled guarantee, uniformity and safety. Periodically samples of finished product are sent out to independent certified analytical labs to assure that the Suståne methods and equipment are producing accurate test results. Suståne retains product samples from every lot manufactured for up to two years after shipment. If there is ever a question about the integrity of the Suståne product used in the field, the customer can call to ask for a sample or or retest of the same production run.

The composting process destroys any potential pathogens such as salmonella and e-coli. The absence of pathogens are verified by routinely testing the finished fertilizer to ensure the health and safety of the product. Suståne fertilizers are also tested for heavy metal concentrations to ensure that the application of Suståne fertilizers do not contribute to the accumulation of metals in the soil. It is because of this attention to quality assurance and product safety that:

  • The composting process destroys any potential pathogens such as salmonella and e-coli. The absence of pathogens are verified by routinely testing the finished fertilizer to ensure the health and safety of the product.
  • Suståne fertilizers are also tested for heavy metal concentrations to ensure that the application of Suståne fertilizers do not contribute to the accumulation of metals in the soil. It is because of this attention to quality assurance and product safety that:
  • Suståne is the only organic fertilizer allowed for export worldwide.

Suståne maintains product registrations in many countries all around the world. These export registrations would not be possible without extensive testing and strict processing controls to ensure and verify the safety of our products.

During the Suståne composting process internal windrow temperatures are routinely monitored and recorded to assure that 100% of the organic material has been subjected to thermophilic temperatures in excess of 135°F for a minimum of five consecutive days. At the end of the active composting and curing phase, the organic material is homogenous (uniform) and dark brown in appearance and has no odor including septic or ammonia gases. The parent materials are indistinguishable as the compost has an earthy, rich texture of humus.

We measure compost maturity or compost stability, in addition to continuous on-site temperature monitoring and record keeping Suståne routinely performs two analytical tests that provide objective measurements of compost maturity. The Solvita Compost Stability Analysis and the Dewar Self-Heating Flask Test.

The Solvita® test gives the Maturity Index for a sample of compost by measuring carbon dioxide respiration and ammonia content. Compost is placed inside a jar with two separate color-indicator “paddles” (one measuring carbon dioxide and one measuring ammonia). After four hours, the gel color is read by comparing the color to the provided color charts. Values are referenced on the tables provided and maturity is determined. Maturity is defined by resistant to further decomposition and free of compounds such as ammonia and organic acids, which can be toxic to plant growth. Test on Suståne compost rated a CO2 result of 6 and an NH3 result of 5 for a result of Mature.

The composting process destroys any potential pathogens such as salmonella and e-coli. The absence of pathogens are verified by routinely testing the finished fertilizer to ensure the health and safety of the product. Suståne fertilizers are also tested for heavy metal concentrations to ensure that the application of Suståne fertilizers do not contribute to the accumulation of metals in the soil. It is because of this attention to quality assurance and product safety that:

Suståne is the only organic fertilizer allowed for export worldwide. 

Suståne maintains product registrations in many countries all around the world. These export registrations would not be possible without extensive testing and strict processing controls to ensure and verify the safety of our products.

 

Suståne also maintains a variety of independent product certifications and registrations. Suståne products are registered for sale in all 50 US states and over 60 countries worldwide.
 
Many of Suståne’s organic products are registered with the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) and are listed as allowable for organic productions. OMRI supports organic integrity by providing organic certifiers, growers, manufacturers, and suppliers an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing. Suståne products are also listed with the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Input Materials List as well as the California Organic Input Material Program. Many products claim to be organic; Suståne products are independently verified for organic and sustainable integrity.

   

Suståne’s basic products are also certified by the USDA as 100% Bio-Based products under the USDA BioPreferred program. BioPreferred is a registered trademark and term used by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA to characterize minimum levels of biocontent required in commercial or industrial products for purchases made by all federal agencies and their contractors. Under the BioPreferred Program, products are tested to assure the consumer that the product contains a verified amount of renewable biological ingredients (referred to as biobased content).

Testimonials 

  • Hayward, Wisconsin

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    Plant health and growth improvement
    With Sustane you can actually see an immediate improvement in plant health and growth. We really like how it performs and we want our customers to use it too!
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    -- Mark Pfeiffer Winter Greenhouse, Hayward, Wisconsin
  • Geneseo, Illinois

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    Sustane helps with droughty soils
    I have used your Sustane fertilizer on my lawn for several years with good results overall, especially with our recent drought and near-drought conditions here in west central Illinois.
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    -- Michael McAvoy
  • Gloucester, United Kingdom

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    Suståne is always reliable
    Suståne is the one fertilizer that once tried, you won’t change because it reliably provides excellent and predictable results. Suståne is organic in origin and being fully composted, you end up with a product that promotes the soil microbiology as much as the plant needs and you get the input of all of the required trace elements. Since I began using Suståne I have never had more than 1% fusarium attack on my turf and I have not had to apply fungicides.
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    -- Marc Haring Course Manager, Cumberwell Park, Bath, Gloucester, UK
  • St. Paul, Minnesota

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    Suståne provides rapid turf establishment
    We were very impressed with the (turfgrass) seeding results using Suståne and we plan to use it again this year and as much as possible in the future.
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    -- Craig Krueger Turfgrass Field Manager, Horticultural Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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    Suståne, the best organic available
    I have used Suståne products in the past and they are by far the best natural fertilizer available.
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    -- David Brinkel V.P. Golf Course Development, Dubai Golf City
  • Homestead Farms, Florida

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    Suståne on organically grown vegetables
    Since 1992 I have tried most of the other organic fertilizers on my Redland farms over the years and I know to stay with Sustane on my organic vegetable crops. Having tried most all of the other organic fertilizers - for my time and for less money, my yields are three times greater with Sustane.
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    -- Dan Howard Homestead Organic Farms South Florida
  • Da Lat, Flower Growing Capital of Vietnam

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    Beautiful flowers
    Why is it that Sustane 4-6-4 produces such beautiful and uniform blooms in flowering plants?
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    -- Vinh Thanh Da Lat, central highlands flower-growing region of Vietnam
  • Florida

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    Landscape Project Management
    We have used Sustane products for over 3 years. We use it in both of our fertilization/weed control programs. We use it on both residential and commercial sites. Our customers have raved about how beautiful and green their lawns look. Our customers who have been on our program for multiple years have seen a decrease in weeds and lawn diseases. We would highly recommend Sustane to anyone who wants to grow a beautiful garden or landscape. Thank you Suståne!
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    -- Amanda Sewell EcoSystems, Inc.
  • Beijing 2008 Olympics, Hong Kong

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    Healthy sports turf for an Olympic Event
    I just wanted to send you a brief email to let you know how everything went here. The Olympic Equestrian Cross-Country event was a huge success, everyone was extremely pleased. At the end of it, I finally got my way on what organic products would give the best results. I used Suståne and it helped immensely. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for your recommendations from before and wanted to let you know that I will forever be a Sustane user.
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    -- Sam Bauer Track Superintendent, 2008 Olympic Equestrian Event, Hong Kong Golf Club
  • Florida

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    Landscape Project Management
    I just wanted to let you know how excited we are about the results we have had using the Sustane product line on our projects. We recently completed a multimillion-dollar landscape installation in Florida and incorporated Suståne into our existing plant and turf protocols. The combination of reduced plant loss and unbelievable response by the turf will keep Sustane in our planting specifications. Thanks again.
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    -- Dirck Reichard Project Manager for Outdoor Living DPM - EcoSystems, Inc.
  • Western Canada

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    Ian’s Gardening
    The micronutrients in Suståne organic fertilizers help soil and plants remain healthy. Suståne has an advantage over organic fertilizers made from oilseeds and animal meals; it has no foreign seed content that might germinate, nor any potential to attract insects or rodents. Suståne is clean to handle and stores well.
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    -- Ian Muir Ian’s Gardening, Victoria, British Columbia
  • Hong Kong

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    Ease of application
    Of all of the organics that I have used over the years (in turf maintenance), Sustane is by far the most user-friendly organic fertilizer available.
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    -- Chip Lewison The Hong Kong Golf Club
  • Dorset, England

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    Every gardener, grower, groundskeeper needs a bag of Suståne close by
    Suståne is the one universally adaptable natural fertilizer source that can help remedy almost any plant and turf environment that is under stress, under nourished of simply needing a boost back to health. It is the one product that I insist all of my customers keep in their landscape maintenance tool box at all times.
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    -- David Smart BioSeed and Countrywide Farmers PLC, Shaftesbury, Dorsett, United Kingdom
  • Ohio, United States

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    Vital organics to our soil blends
    We at Organic Mechanics are excited to offer Sustane natural fertilizers to our customers! Sustane's high quality, OMRI-listed organic fertilizers are a perfect match with our line of OMRI-listed organic potting soils and soil amendments. Our customers have asked us repeatedly for organic fertilizers, so when we were approached by Sustane to distribute their new line of retail products, we jumped on board. With the continued growing interest in organic gardening, we feel this is a win-win relationship that will grow rapidly.
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    -- Mark T. F. Highland, President The Organic Mechanics Soil Company
  • Libertyville, Illinois

    We had a wonderful response this year with our greens and tees on the Suståne program. There is something about your material that really improved the soil biomass and sustained our bentgrass with good health and excellent playing conditions… I am now even more confident that using Suståne has helped me provide nice putting surfaces for our club and given me a renewed confidence in that I am going the right direction.
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    -- Oscar Miles, Golf Course Superintendent The Merit Club, Libertyville, Illinois
  • Bandung, Indonesia

    I have been using your product for many years and have found it to be the best I have ever used and I trust it implicitly.
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    -- Don D.Ellsworth, Course Superintendent Mountain View Golf Club, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Bath, United Kingdom

    Suståne is excellent…The benefits to the soil and microorganisms have been fantastic on Poa greens for treating fusarium just one time per year.
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    Bath Golf Club, Bath, United Kingdom
  • Cooperstown, New York

    This past fall we had a crop of poinsettias that were in extreme decline. We were considering terminating the crop when as a final effort we decided to make an application with BOLSTER. I would have to say that the turnaround was like a miracle. Literally overnight, we saw a response in the plants. Not only did we save the poinsettias, but also they were some of the finest blooms we have ever seen here. In all my years, I have never seen a product work as well as BOLSTER. It is now part of our regular nutritional program.
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    -- Cary Barnum, Greenhouse and Grounds Manager Clark Foundation, Cooperstown, New York
  • Gloucester, United Kingdom

    Suståne is the one fertilizer that once tried, you won’t change. I know of many superintendents that are using it regularly with excellent and predictable results. Suståne is organic in origin and being fully composted, you end up with a product that promotes the soil microbiology as much as the plant needs and you get the input of all of the required trace elements. What can I say? I used it when it first came into the country [1996 - the United Kingdom]. And since I began using Suståne I have never had more than 1% fusarium attack on my greens and I have not had to apply fungicides.
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    -- Marc Haring, Cumberwell Park Golf Club Gloucester, United Kingdom
  • City of San Diego

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    Aerification Recovery
    We have been putting down Suståne 5-2-10 on all of our city's 5 golf course's greens during aerification. They all recovered remarkably. It was the best aerification they had ever had. I love that product.
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    -- Paul Cushing, Director of Golf Course Maintenance City of San Diego - Torrey Pines Golf Course
  • Organic Farm, Bermuda

    I have been growing using the Sustane 8-2-4. Since I've been using it the quality of my crops has improved and every week customers compliment me on how beautiful the produce looks and tastes. I started out with a small order just for myself as I only have about 5 acres. I let a friend try a bag and was with the results also and told told other people. So when I place my next order I have to purchase bags for 6 other people as well. I farm organically and would recommend your product.
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    -- Brian Swan Organic Farm, Bermuda
  • 2008 Olympic Equestrian Event host, Hong Kong Golf Club

    The Olympic event was a huge success, everyone was extremely pleased…I used quite a bit of the 5-2-10 and Bolster (the Bolster liquid was awesome on my Paspalum). Also for some new Zoysia jump zones on sand I incorporated the Sustane’s BOLSTER Granular 4-4-4 into the sand. These areas turned out to be brilliant.
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    -- Sam Bauer, Track Superintendent 2008 Olympic Equestrian Event host, Hong Kong Golf Club
  • Sunbelt Greenhouses

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    Tomato Trial
    A photo of our tomato trial last fall is attached – I’m sure you can guess which ones were planted with Sustane.
    Our customers reported that they could tell a difference in our Organiks production this spring. We could too.
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    -- Bonnie Barker Sunbelt Greenhouses Inc.
  • South Gloucestershire

    I deal with a country retreat in South Gloucestershire and we have had some great results. I have attached photos for you to see. It has produced some really strong colours in the flowers. In the boards the success has been the blooms as you can see from the photos and has helped the box hedging recover from box blight.
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    -- English Garden, South Gloucestershire
  • Taichung, Taiwan

    About middle December of last year, I planted a flower tree (Tibouchina semidecanda Cogn) in my front yard. I applied Sustane 4-6-4 from the local distributor here in Taichung to nurse my tree. In fact, it was my first time to use Sustane fertilizer and I am so surpirsed of its effects. When I brought the flower tree home, it was about 10 flower buds. After one month of applying Sustane 4-6-4 it was 40-50 flower buds! And about one week ago, when I was hoeing up weeds, I found earthworms where I did not find any before. Attached is the picture of my flower tree. It suffered from huge temperature change and weird rain and similarly light degree typhoon wind one week ago. But now it is blooming again!
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    -- Jenny Wu Taichung, Taiwan
Spinning loader

Suståne supports many organizations, charities and non-profits in Agriculture, Erosion Control, Turfgrass, Landscape, Nurseries, and Greenhouses. Below is a list of several of the organizations that we support through memberships and contributions:

Agriculture

CCOF
https://www.ccof.org/

About CCOF: California Certified Organic Farmers

CCOF is a nonprofit organization that advances organic agriculture for a healthy world through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion. We envision a world where organic is the norm. As one of the first organic certification agencies, CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) has strong roots in the history of the organic movement. Although our beginnings were humble, CCOF was instrumental in advocating for federal organic legislation; our organic certification standards were used as a foundation for the USDA National Organic Program, finally making “certified organic” a federally regulated claim. After more than 30 years of fighting for organic integrity, we continue to certify, educate, advocate, and promote organic.


Marbleseed


Formerly know as the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)

Marbleseed was established in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward sustainable, organic farming systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.


OTA – Organic Trade Association


About OTA

We are your connected community of organic innovators and pioneers. Our path forward is organic.

As the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America, we are the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Our Board of Directors is democratically elected by our members.


HIA – Hemp Industries Association


About HIA

In 1994, a group of hemp business and activist leaders came together with the shared goals of setting standards for hemp products and legalizing hemp in the U.S. To focus their efforts, they formed the HIA, a volunteer-led, mission-driven, and democratically governed trade association. HIA MISSION: To advance the hemp economy and educate the market for the benefit of our members, the public, and the planet.


MOA – Montana Organic Association

About Montana Organic Association

The Montana Organic Association (MOA) brings together people, businesses, organizations, and agencies working to develop Montana's organic sector and building its community. MOA is proud of its legacy that has led Montana to be a national leader in organic production. But MOA is more than organic production; it also serves to educate about organic products including food, fiber, and non-food items like cosmetics and household supplies and provides strategies to limit the use of chemicals in everyday life. MOA advocates for policies that protect the environment, promote healthy living, and support individuals, farms, and businesses that are actively engaged in developing sustainable businesses and communities. MOA accomplishes this through hosting events, serving as an educational resource, providing networking opportunities, and through its communications channels.


Soil & Crop Science Society of America

About Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)

The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the vision to improve the world through crop science. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1956, CSSA is the professional home for 4,000+ members dedicated to discover and apply plant science solutions to improve the human condition and protect the planet. Crop science is highly integrative and employs the disciplines of conventional plant breeding, transgenic crop improvements, plant physiology, and cropping system sciences to develop and improve varieties of agronomic, turfgrass, and forage crops to produce feed, fiber, food, and fuel.


Seed Savers Exchange

About Seed Savers Exchange (SSE)

Seed Savers Exchange stewards Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. We educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.

Philanthropy and Charitable Giving by Sustane

Suståne reinvests in growers and growing for a healthier, more sustainable planet.



Screen Shot 2021 09 22 at 10.53.31 AM

Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange stewards Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. We educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.

Suståne provides its organic 4-6-4 which is used in potting blends and during transplant of many of the seed varieties SSE propagates annually.

Learn More: https://www.seedsavers.org/mission


MSHS Reversed Online logo e1585423002779Minnesota State Horticultural Society Garden-In-A-Box Program

MSHS launched Garden-in-a-Box (GIAB) in 2008 to teach vegetable gardening to kids so they could eat more fresh produce. Today, GIAB provides vegetable gardening kits for hundreds of community groups.

GIAB helps underserved children and families experience the benefits (and joys!) of gardening: affordable healthy food, outdoor activity, education, and community building. This program gives childcare providers, community program coordinators, and teachers the chance to incorporate hands-on learning experiences into their programs.

Partnering organizations can be nonprofit and community organizations, childcare centers, community centers, schools, and in some cases, family homes. This year, MSHS partnered with organizations in the Twin Cities metro area along with organizations in Northern, Central, and Southeastern Minnesota.

Suståne provides Compost Tea Bags which students find simple to use during the transplanting of fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs in the raised garden beds the GIAB program plants across the state.

Learn More: Minnesota State Horticultural Society Garden-in-a-Box


 

GCSAAThe GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

The GCSAA Foundation secures funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Founded in 1955 as the GCSAA Scholarship & Research Fund for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Foundation serves as the association’s philanthropic organization. The Foundation relies upon the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs to advance its mission.

The results from these activities, conducted by GCSAA, are used to position golf courses as properly managed landscapes that contribute to the greater good of their communities. Supporters of the Foundation know that they are fostering programs and initiatives that will benefit the game, its environment, and communities for years to come.

Suståne has donated various turfgrass fertility products and soil amendments to the Conference and Trade Show Silent Auction at the Double Eagle Donor level for many years, raising thousands of dollars for GCSAA Foundation’s various programs.

Learn More: https://www.gcsaa.org/foundation/about-the-gcsaa-foundation 



The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association logoThe Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association
The MNLA is the state's oldest and largest green industry trade organization. Starting in 1925 as the Minnesota Nurserymen's Association, today MNLA represents and serves nursery and greenhouse growers, garden centers, irrigation contractors, industry suppliers, and a wide range of landscape professionals. The association aims to help these members operate their businesses more successfully by providing education, networking, legislative and regulatory representation, public relations, and financial benefits through group purchasing and other member services.

Suståne donates turfgrass, agricultural fertility, and soil amendment products to the MNLA, supporting the annual Silent Auction which contributes to the fundraising efforts of the green-trade group's programs.

Learn More: https://www.mnla.biz/page/about