Plant Industry Suppliers Step Up During COVID-19 With Giveaways, Donations, and Solutions
March 30, 2020 
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, manufacturers and product suppliers from across several industries have responded in many positive ways, whether it’s shifting their normal production to critical medical supplies, donating financially, or simply giving something away.
The controlled-environment industry is no exception. Here’s a closer look at what some suppliers in the industry are doing.
Sakata Seed America Donates Masks and Gloves
Sakata Seed America, a prominent plant breeder and producer for the vegetable and ornamental seed markets, utilizes respiratory masks and gloves as part of the company’s personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols during the seed treating and handling process.
One of Sakata’s main facilities for seed production and treatment is located in Washington’s Skagit County. Last week, Sakata donated three cases of respiratory masks and gloves to Skagit Valley Hospital campus.
“It’s our social responsibility as a company that calls this community [along with many others] home,” says Tye Anderson, Director of Production and Logistics for Sakata Seed America. “We are in this together and are dedicated to doing our part to help fight this any way we can. As an essential business, Sakata continues to operate as part of the country’s food chain, supplying nourishment to our nation; however, any other way we can find to contribute, big or small – we will do so.”
Sakata plans to assess its needs for internal PPE and will continue to donate masks, gloves, and other PPE to the health care system in the other communities in which it operates, some of which include: Santa Clara, Monterey, and Yolo counties in California, Yuma County in Arizona, and Lee County in Florida.
LLK Looks To Help Horticulture Market With Disinfecting
LLK Greenhouse Solutions has been distributing a unique water treatment chemistry into the horticulture market for the last year. BioVex, which is manufactured by Bio-Cide International, has also been utilized as a disinfectant in the health care, airline, and farming industries for 40 years. Manufactured in Norman, OK, Bio-Cide’s disinfectant product BioVex is EPA certified for a vast array of pathogens, bacteria, fungi, and other viruses.
According to Sean O’Donnell at LLK, BioVex is EPA approved and meets the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“BioVex can be safely used with great efficacy to disinfect steel, laminate, ceramics, vinyl, plastics, and all other non-porous surfaces that employees or the general public may come in contact with,” O’Donnell says.
GrowIt! Giving Away 1,000 Plants in 30 Days
Chicago tech startup GrowIt! has announced a giveaway of 1,000 plants in 30 days. GrowIt! members can enter daily through April 18, and winners can select a plant to be shipped to their door, or they can opt to receive a gift certificate to their favorite local garden shop.
Those consumers who wish to enter can download the GrowIt! app to their phone and answer a daily “Spring is NOT Cancelled” question posted by GrowIt! At the end of each day, winners will be selected at random from the responses.
“This is more than an opportunity for free plants. With everything going on and many people feeling isolated, plants are a proven way to bring health and wellness into the home,” says GrowIt! Co-founder, Seth Reed. “We found ourselves in a unique situation where we could not only support the horticulture industry but supply our members with something to brighten their day.”
By joining the “Spring is NOT Cancelled” initiative, the GrowIt! team hopes to encourage people to be active in their mobile growing community and find ways to unwind with gardening.
“There is scientific research that shows that plants reduce stress and anxiety while increasing our learning capacity and creativity – we all need a bit of that right now,” Reed says.
The giveaway is already taking place and will continue through April 18. Winners will be notified via email. Click here to learn more.
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