DAVIS, Calif., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pam Marrone, founder and CEO of Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI), a leading developer of environmentally responsible biopesticides based in Davis, California, was recognized today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) as a recipient of a prestigious 2011 Growing Green Award.

Named 2011 Business Leader winner, Marrone has launched three successful companies that develop bio-based alternatives. Her current, rapidly growing company, Marrone Bio Innovations, discovers, develops and markets effective products based on naturally occurring materials like plants and microorganisms that help growers control pests, improve yields, and reduce risks to human health and the environment.

"At Marrone Bio Innovations, we are providing the market with effective, sustainable and safe plant protection products with no sacrifice to yield, quality or economics," said Marrone. "I'm proud to be recognized by NRDC, and appreciate this opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of biopesticides to plants, people and the environment."

"Our Growing Green Awards recognize extraordinary contributions that advance ecologically integrated farming practices, climate stewardship, water stewardship, farmland preservation, and social responsibility from farm to fork," said Jonathan Kaplan, Senior Policy Specialist at NRDC. "Pam Marrone exemplifies the leadership and innovation needed to make such important contributions."

Pam Marrone was selected from hundreds of nominees by the 2011 Growing Green Awards panel of judges, which included Michael Pollan, New York Times best-selling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Maria Rodale, Chairman and CEO of Rodale Inc., Dan Barber, executive chef and co-owner of Blue Hill Restaurant in New York, and Dr. Tom Tomich, Director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at the University of California, Davis.

The winners will be honored at NRDC's 2011 Growing Green Awards gala in San Francisco on April 28.

About Marrone Bio Innovations

Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) discovers, develops and markets effective and environmentally responsible natural products that fill unmet needs for weed, plant disease and pest management. MBI's effective and safe products come from a combination of in-licensed technology and its own discovery. The company's own R&D finds naturally occurring microorganisms from unique habitats and develops them into pest management products. MBI has an impressive pipeline of new products waiting approval at the EPA, including two insecticides, two herbicides and Zequanox,TM a product for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels in fresh waterways. MBI has several new nematicide, insecticide, fungicide and herbicide candidates from its discovery screen.  In addition to its award-winning Regalia® Biofungicide, MBI currently markets GreenMatch® Burndown Herbicide for weed control in organic crop production.  For more information about Marrone Bio Innovations, please go to www.marronebio.com

SOURCE Marrone Bio Innovations