EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Hennepin Technical College has received a generous equipment donation from The Toro Company Foundation that will support the ongoing care and maintenance of the college’s Eden Prairie campus.
Through a partnership between The Toro Company Foundation and the Hennepin Technical College Foundation, the college received a battery-powered Toro® Z Master® 52-inch electric zero-turn mower, valued at $39,443. The donation was supported by Ernie Parker, a retired Hennepin Tech Fluid Power Engineering Technology instructor and Foundation Board member, whose longstanding relationship with the college helped facilitate the gift.
The new electric mower will be used by Hennepin Tech’s facilities team to maintain the college’s approximately 100-acre Eden Prairie campus, which borders Staring Lake. Grounds staff mow between 40 and 50 acres on a continuously rotating schedule to ensure the campus remains safe, attractive, and welcoming for students, employees, and visitors.
Unlike traditional gas-powered equipment, the electric mower operates significantly more quietly while producing zero on-site emissions. Its reduced noise level makes it especially well-suited for educational environments, allowing grounds maintenance to occur with less disruption to classes, campus activities, and neighboring areas.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Toro Company Foundation for this generous investment in our campus,” said Alison Forbs, Vice President of Advancement at Hennepin Tech. “This equipment will help our facilities team maintain the beautiful grounds that contribute to a positive learning environment while supporting our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency.”
The college also extends its sincere appreciation to the Hennepin Technical College Foundation, and especially Ernie Parker, for helping facilitate the donation.
“At The Toro Company, we believe great outdoor spaces contribute to vibrant communities,” said Marnie K. Wells, President of The Toro Company Foundation. “We are honored to donate an electric Toro Z Master mower to Hennepin Technical College to support the maintenance team that works every day to keep the campus beautiful, safe, and welcoming. By investing in the places where people learn and gather, we can help our communities continue to thrive.”
The donation reflects a shared commitment to supporting educational institutions and creating welcoming spaces where students can learn, connect, and succeed.
About the Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, including turf and landscape maintenance, snow and ice management, underground utility construction, rental and specialty construction, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With net sales of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2025, The Toro Company’s global presence extends to more than 125 countries through a family of brands that includes Toro, Ditch Witch, Exmark, BOSS, Ventrac, Tornado, HammerHead, American Augers, Spartan, Subsite, Radius, Hayter, Perrot, Unique Lighting Systems, Irritrol, and Lawn-Boy. Through constant innovation and caring relationships built on trust and integrity, The Toro Company and its family of brands have built a legacy of excellence by helping customers work on golf courses, sports fields, construction sites, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural operations. For more information, visit www.thetorocompany.com.
About Hennepin Technical College
Founded in 1972, Hennepin Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Hennepin Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.
