Enterprise Holdings, which offer extensive car rental and transportation services, donated $1,500 to the Western Growers Foundation yesterday to support its School Garden and Careers in Ag programs. Both programs are geared toward advancing knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics in areas related to farming and agriculture among students, from elementary school through college.

“Giving students the opportunity to expand their knowledge in STEM-related subjects and teach them the importance of science and engineering in agriculture is crucial to maintaining a viable workforce,” said Dave Puglia, executive vice president of Western Growers. “We are grateful to Enterprise for their generous support for this mission.”

Since its inception in 1995, Western Growers Foundation has funded more than 1,100 school gardens in California and Arizona. Through sponsored gardens, selected curriculum and hands-on learning in the gardens, students will learn about the science of how seeds become salads, the technology available to enhance plant growth, the engineering behind farm equipment, and the math to calculate how much water is needed for optimal yield.

In addition funding school gardens, the Foundation helps sustain Western Growers Careers in Ag Program – an effort to encourage college students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers within the agricultural industry. Launched in June 2016, the program has educated 165 students and numerous students have already been placed in internships and jobs at WG members companies.

The donation was presented by Belinda Wang, senior business rental sales executive at Enterprise Holdings, and received by WG EVP Dave Puglia and WG VP of Finance/Controller, Accounting Kathy McCarty.