ScottsMiracle-Gro Donates $750,000 to the Orange County Great Park

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Standing before a crowd of gardening enthusiasts at the Great Park's Farm + Food Lab, Phil Jones, west region president of ScottsMiracle-Gro, presented an enormous check for $750,000 to Great Park Corporation Chair Beth Krom.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110917/LA70431 )

The check represents a significant charitable donation to be given over the next five years by the world's largest marketer of consumer products for lawn and garden care to support the Great Park's gardening and agricultural education programs.

"We are proud to support the Great Park's efforts to educate the community about how to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables using the best sustainable gardening methods," said Phil Jones, Regional President, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. "The donation will provide an educational platform that teaches and engages adults and youth about gardening, along with supporting the current Farm + Food lab and its expansion."

Following the presentation of the check, Beth Krom joined Phil Jones, Great Park Board Members and other local officials in the re-planting of a mature six-ton Jacaranda tree near the Great Park Farm + Food Lab.  The tree was originally planted by firefighters at the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Marine Corps fire station nearly fifty years ago.  The Jacaranda is among many mature trees the Park is planning to save.  

Great Park Corporation Chair Beth Krom thanked ScottsMiracle-Gro for their generous support of the Great Park and said, "The ScottsMiracle-Gro donation will have a significant impact on the Great Park and will support our commitment to enhancing the health and nutrition of Orange County.  We will be able to expand our education programs that teach sustainable gardening methods and the importance of fresh, locally-grown produce in a healthy diet."

The ScottsMiracle-Gro donation includes $500,000 in direct financial support and $250,000 in products, such as Scotts Whitney Farms® and Organic Choice® garden products.  Scotts also will provide the Great Park with access to gardening specialists to help with the maintenance and operation of the Great Park Food + Farm Lab and Community Gardens Program.  The donation will enhance current programming, facilities, exhibits, educational and education outreach programs.  As a result, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company will be the exclusive lawn and garden products sponsor of the Orange County Great Park Farm + Food Lab and Community Gardens Program.

About the Great Park

The Orange County Great Park, with its 1,347-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro.  The Great Park features an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development.  Other features include the Carousel, Farm and Food Lab, Kids Rock Playground, Palm Court Arts Complex, North Lawn recreation area and historic Hangar 244.  The South Lawn lighted soccer fields and Community Garden will be added in 2012.  For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., we operate Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

SOURCE The Orange County Great Park