Shanel Valley Academy’s Ag Alley program has won a $50,000 grant through Kubota Tractor Corporation’s Hometown Proud program, thanks to community support and votes.
The grant, awarded in partnership with Garton Tractor, is part of Kubota’s annual initiative to support local nonprofit organizations across the United States. In 2024, the program received a record 1,590 applications, and Ag Alley was one of the 20 finalists selected for regional recognition. The finalists were then put up for a public vote to determine which 10 projects would receive the coveted $50,000 grant.
Ag Alley, an educational program at Shanel Valley Academy, promotes agricultural learning and sustainability, aligning with Kubota’s mission to empower local communities. The Hopland-based program garnered enough public votes during the August voting phase to secure the top prize, joining nine other nonprofits across the country in receiving $50,000.
Todd Stucke, president of Kubota Tractor Corporation, praised the community-driven nature of the program. “Our dealers embody the spirit of their hometowns, and it’s important for us to give them more resources to give back to local organizations that matter most to them,” Stucke said.
Now in its fourth year, the Kubota Hometown Proud program awarded a total of $600,000 in grants this year, its largest amount to date. Since its inception, the program has distributed nearly $2 million to help build agriculture centers, support community gardens, and fund youth vocational projects nationwide.
Ag Alley at Shanel Valley Academy will use the grant to further its agricultural education initiatives, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities that aim to benefit the entire community.
