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Scotts & Texas A & M form partnership


October 21, 2010

Texas A&M AgriLife, College of Ag and Life Sciences, Scotts Company form partnership

Turfgrass, water efficiency, pest control research to be conducted


Contact(s): Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Mary Vinnedge, 979-845-8161, m-vinnedge@tamu.edu  
Texas A&M AgriLife, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University and The Scotts Company LLC have announced a long-term agreement to develop new technologies for the urban market statewide and nationally. Signing the master agreement (from left) are Dr. Pete Gibbs, associate director with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Dr. Jeff Garascia, Scotts Company senior vice president of global research and development, Dr. Bill McCutchen, associate director of Texas AgriLife Research,  Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M, and Jim Tates, Scotts Company southwest region president. (Photo courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife)(Left) Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University, and Jim Tates, Scotts Company southwest region president, are joined by others showing a recognition plaque given to the Scotts Company. (Photo courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife) 
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M AgriLife, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University and The Scotts Company LLC have announced a long-term agreement to develop new technologies for the urban market statewide and nationally, according to officials.

Scotts will provide a total of $750,000 over five years to create a new turfgrass research facility through the Texas A&M Foundation. A separate research agreement has been signed that will bring the total Scotts’ investment to more than $1.5 million. The funds will provide support for construction of a new facility for turfgrass education and research on F&B Road on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.

Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service - both Texas A&M University System components - and faculty in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences will utilize the facilities for major research activities and teaching efforts.

Additional grant funding provided through the research and extension agreement will go toward developing key research programs in the areas of turfgrass, water efficiency and environmentally friendly pest control products, while improving aesthetic values of landscapes.

"This agreement will lead to many new potential innovations helping address critical issues affecting landscapes in the urban markets throughout Texas and nationwide," said Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.

"Overall, we are extremely pleased to be entering into this collaboration and look forward to many new opportunities."

"This partnership will not only enhance our turfgrass research efforts, but strengthen our teaching of undergraduate and graduate students here at Texas A&M," said Dr. David Baltensperger, department head for soil and crop sciences."These students upon graduating Texas A&M will be entering the industry already having first-hand experience in learning how to solve complex issues with new and innovative technologies."

The collaboration will create a joint management committee comprised of representatives from both Texas A&M AgriLife and Scotts. The committee will meet regularly to provide oversight to the ongoing research activities.

"Texas A&M AgriLife is a recognized leader in research, and we’re very pleased to announce this partnership," said Scotts’ Southwest Region President Jim Tates.

Scotts’ Senior Vice President of Global Research and Development Dr. Jeff Garascia added, "This partnership is exciting because it will not only bring together some of today’s best minds in research, but also provide opportunities for significant learning for many who will be leading key areas of research in the future."

About Texas A&M AgriLife: Texas A&M has been a recognized leader in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences since Texas A&M University became a land-grant institution in 1876. Texas A&M AgriLife encompasses five main components of The Texas A&M University System: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Forest Service, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. With teaching, research, extension and laboratory facilities throughout Texas, Texas A&M AgriLife serves people of all ages and backgrounds and is a cornerstone of one of the state's premier institutions of higher education. For additional information, visit http://agrilife.tamu.edu/about/.

About the Texas A&M Foundation: The Texas A&M Foundation was established in 1953 to encourage, receive and manage gifts in support of educational excellence at Texas A&M. The Foundation helps donors match their gifts with the appropriate opportunities at A&M. For additional information, visit giving.tamu.edu.

About Scotts Miracle-Gro Company: With nearly $3 billion in worldwide sales and more than 8,000 associates, 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, with products for professional horticulture as well. 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. the Company operates 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 www.scotts.com

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