Bayer CropScience accepting Plant Health Scholarship applications

Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, has announced that golf course superintendents can now apply for the inaugural Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Scholarship. A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to each of two outstanding superintendents looking to advance their education in the area of plant health.

“Bayer is committed to improving plant health, and we are excited to support outstanding superintendents who share that commitment,” said Scott Welge, head of marketing for Bayer’s professional turf and ornamentals (T&O) business. “By empowering individuals to learn more about optimizing plant health on their courses, we create a network of expertise that can work together to create a better future for the T&O industry.”

Applications for the Plant Health Scholarships will be accepted now through October 4. Scholarship recipients may use the award to attend local, regional or national educational conferences, or to enroll in a continuing education program at an institution of higher learning. Superintendents interested in applying can visit the application page. Applicants must be employed as a golf course superintendent and must also be a registered member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the Bayer Accolades customer loyalty program.

The Plant Health Scholarship is part of Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, a multi-faceted initiative aimed at advancing plant health research and education for superintendents to help ensure the health of their courses, and the industry, for the future. In addition to scholarships, the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program includes plant health-related webinars, demonstration courses and the Plant Health Academy. To fund Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, Bayer will invest a percentage of StressGard Formulation Technology (FT) product sales each year for three years – a minimum commitment of $300,000 over three years. Funds generated through the program will also be dedicated to the Environmental Institute for Golf to support research, education, advocacy and scholarship initiatives executed by GCSAA.

Bayer has been developing products with plant health attributes for nearly 20 years, starting with the origin of StressGard FT, which is now featured in four Bayer fungicides, including Tartan, Chipco Triton Flo, Interface, and Chipco Signature. StressGard FT helps fortify natural plant defenses and promote plant growth.