Author: sHq_LoGiNz

By Candace Higginbotham

Regions associates celebrate many observances throughout the year, and they’re more than just calendar entries. Teams across the footprint use these occasions as opportunities to roll up their sleeves and get to work supporting customers, associates and communities in different ways.

In April, Regions teams celebrated two company observances, Autism Awareness Month and Share the Good, with one very impactful volunteer activity.

Autism Awareness Month is especially meaningful at the bank because so many people are affected. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 31 eight-year-old children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. Nearly everyone has a family member, friend or acquaintance that lives with this condition.

Share the Good is an annual, month-long community outreach program that encourages associate volunteerism. And it happens to coincide with National Volunteer Month.

This year, Schiela Peña, Disability Services and Outreach manager at Regions, wanted to make the most of both observances and host volunteer events throughout Regions’ markets to benefit customers and communities.

For several years Regions has prioritized a company-wide initiative to accommodate, serve and support the autistic and neurodivergent community.
Schiela Peña, Regions Disability Services and Outreach manager

“For several years Regions has prioritized a company-wide initiative to accommodate, serve and support the autistic and neurodivergent community,” Peña said. “We’ve developed tailored products and services, incorporated innovative resources such as the MagnusCards app, along with specialized financial wellness curriculum and associate training. And we provide autism sensory packs and quiet rooms in many of our branches to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.”

Regions sensory packs include a stress ball, fidget cubes, sunglasses and noise-canceling earbuds that assist customers with autism who may experience sensory episodes due to noise, lights and other factors.

To ensure Regions branches are well equipped with sensory packs and to also support local organizations that serve the autistic and neurodivergent community, Peña collaborated with Bibiana Gomez, Regions Inclusion, Belonging and Impact program manager, to engage the Regions Impact Networks. More than 15 markets participated, and thousands of sensory packs were assembled. Here’s just a sampling:

Memphis

Members of the Memphis Impact Network and attendees of the market officer meeting put together 150 sensory packs for local Regions branches and community partner Star Center. More than 35 associates participated and according to Hunter Linnell, Retail Operations Manager and co-chair of the Memphis Impact Network, the event was a huge success. “Supporting the autism and neurodivergent community is important; everyone deserves to feel understood, supported, and included,” Linnell said. “By taking small but meaningful actions like creating these sensory kits, we are helping to create environments where all individuals can feel more comfortable and respected. It’s a reflection of our core values and our commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

Indiana

The Indiana Impact Network organized a volunteer event prior to their inaugural book club meeting. The team of 18 associates made quick work of assembling 300 packs before gathering to discuss Brené Brown’s book, Dare to Lead. All 41 branches in the market received a sensory pack and 25 are being delivered to The Arc of Greater Boone County. Anson Branch Manager Soofia Strain and her team are actively engaged with this organization, including delivering financial wellness sessions.

Birmingham

The team in the headquarters city was a model of efficiency, with three shifts and many hands to assemble 300 sensory packs in record time. The packs are being delivered to local branches and to community partner Disability Rights & Resources. According to Elizabeth Shaw, Regions Corporate Compliance analyst and member of the Regions Impact Network in Birmingham, it was a fulfilling effort. “Assembling sensory packs for Autism Awareness was such a meaningful and fun experience that allowed me to contribute to creating inclusion and support to our friends with sensory needs,” Shaw said. “I’m proud that Regions acknowledges the neurodivergent community, and I know the sensory packs will make a difference in someone’s day.”

Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Impact Network, led by network co-chair and Mortgage Regional Manager Steve Pickett and Consumer Banking Manager Adrian Goas, along with all the local branch managers, assembled 150 sensory packs that will be distributed to local branches and delivered to community partner The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation. “This cause is near and dear to my heart, as my 20-year-old nephew is autistic and I have three local associates who share a common bond as parents of autistic children,” Pickett said. “I am so grateful Regions is an autism friendly bank and provides resources to improve the lives of those who live on the spectrum.” The Impact Network also hosted an Autism Awareness call in April featuring three associates who are parents of autistic children who shared their experiences and offered information and education for better serving this community.

Other Regions teams supported the disability community this month in different ways. Members of the Birmingham-based Legal department spent a morning building trikes at Iron City Trykes/ Birmingham AMBUCS, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic tricycles for children and veterans with adaptive needs. “These adaptive trikes are uniquely designed to accommodate riders of all ages and abilities, helping people overcome mobility challenges while fostering strength, confidence, and inclusion,” said Bradley Blair, Assistant General Counsel at Regions, who coordinated the activity. “This volunteer event was a great way for our team to come together, have fun, and make a meaningful impact in our community.” Other Legal associates volunteered at the New Visions Day Program in Calera, Alabama, just south of Birmingham. New Visions provides services to adults with intellectual disabilities.

This reference sheet outlines the resources Regions provides for people with disabilities, including the autistic and neurodivergent community.

When Diamond Spratling founded Girl + Environment, she set out to rewrite the narrative of who leads on climate. In this inspiring conversation with Eriqah Vincent of Drawdown Georgia, Diamond shares how her organization empowers women of color to take action on climate and environmental justice—by meeting communities where they are and centering culture, health, and grassroots leadership.

Watch the interview here to learn how Gen Z is reshaping climate activism, what makes Georgia a clean energy leader, and why Diamond remains hopeful for our future.

Tech and energy have a complex relationship.

One the one hand, tech innovation can help energy grids and power generation become more efficient and secure. On the other, the rapid adoption and development of emerging technologies is increasing power consumption.

Cisco is approaching the issue from multiple angles. It begins with Cisco’s net-zero goals and expands to include everything from circularity and smart grids to more energy-efficient products and investments in new solutions like wave power.

Another strategy? Long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for clean energy.  

With the help of these PPAs — the most recent of which were signed in Texas and India last year, as well as in Spain in 2023 — the company looks to fully power Cisco operations carbon free, while supporting clean-energy developers, outside communities, and Cisco partners.   

“Cisco is striving to source 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030,” said Andy Smith, who leads energy and sustainability efforts within Cisco’s Workplace Resources (WPR) department. “As part of that goal, we’re trying to diversify how we source clean energy, with a big focus on signing long-term Power Purchase Agreements that will support our energy targets where we operate.”

In India, Cisco’s Bangalore campus, which includes offices, a research lab, and a large data center, is three months into a 15-year, fixed-price agreement with a clean energy plant 164 miles away. At any given time, the Cisco complex runs on anywhere from 98 to 100 percent clean power.

And in Texas, PPAs led by Cisco’s Global Energy Management and Sustainability (GEMS) team — and including partners like Juniper, BioRad, Cadence, and IDEXX Laboratories — have been signed with three solar plants through Sustainability Roundtable’s Net Zero Consortium for Buyers (NZCB).

“Cisco’s involvement can be essential to the viability of these projects,” explained Evan Brown, Cisco’s energy and sustainability manager for the Americas and EMEA. “Our strong credit rating supports the developer’s ability to secure financing, making it possible to move from concept to construction.”

For the business, and for the planet

Together, these four plants will produce more than 500,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy per year for Cisco. That’s approximately the energy needed to power 72,000 homes in the United States for one year. And while the approaches in India and Texas vary in some ways, the goal is the same: supporting the adoption of clean energy in ways that are good for business and good for the planet.

Mary de Wysocki, Cisco’s chief sustainability officer, stressed the importance of these deals and others that are being signed or explored for the future.

“When I think about Generative AI, yes, it’s going to require more power,” she said. “But we in the private sector have an opportunity to invest in net-new energy sources. The Power Purchase Agreements that are underway in India and Texas are one way to help offset this. And we hope to do more in the future. In Spain, for example, we’ve reached another agreement that could power most of our offices in Europe.”

Vijayakumar Ettiyagounder, Cisco’s energy and sustainability manager for Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC), played a key role in making the India deal happen.

“This agreement gives us access to 92 megawatts of electricity,” he explained. “And it’s a hybrid plant, so a mix of solar and wind. That increases the hours of generation, because renewables can be intermittent in nature.”

While in India, Cisco is the sole buyer, in Texas the company has been the lead buyer in a consortium of eight partners, all of which have their own sustainability goals.

“The energy suppliers feel that they’re negotiating with one buyer because we are the ones negotiating on behalf of everybody in the consortium,” Brown said. “So, it helps these other folks, especially the smaller companies.”

For example, a partner like PTC Therapeutics might need 10 megawatts of energy in the deal, while Cisco’s needs would be at least 50. But all benefit.

“They’re not going to find those kinds of deals out there on the open market by themselves,” Brown added. “But pairing with us, they get the pricing and the benefits. And we do as well, because when I negotiate the deal, I’m no longer a 50-megawatt buyer; I’m a 200-megawatt buyer.”

Expanding the energy ecosystem

As a leader in this space, Cisco is showing the kind of market-development impact that a large organization can have.

“High credit-worthy companies like Cisco can play a big role in adding incremental renewable energy to the grid,” Smith argued. “That’s ultimately what we all have to do to maximize the benefits of renewable energy.”

Texas and India are prime places to expand clean energy resources.

“Texas is a hot market for energy right now,” Brown said. “It’s a mostly deregulated region of the country, with a thriving open market for power. As a result, that has attracted a lot of data centers, bitcoin mining, and other energy-intensive activities. On the meteorological side, there is plenty of sunlight.”

With growing electricity demand in India new solutions and investments are more and more welcome.

“India is dominated by coal-based power plants, followed by natural gas,” said Ettiyagounder. “But in the last seven or eight years, new capacity is coming mostly from the renewable side. So, the challenges are there, but the market is responding, and adoption is speeding up.”

New demands from AI — and whatever comes after

Of course, artificial intelligence (AI) is another of those energy-intensive activities. That’s why companies like Cisco are trying to get ahead of future demand.

“With AI, there’s a tremendous amount of data, a lot of processing, and a lot of automated decision making,” said Ettiyagounder. “So, it’s energy intensive. Even a small server is doing a lot of work. And as more and more concentrated data centers are built, we’ll need more power. As a conscious company, for Cisco that will mean more clean energy.”

As organizations across the economy look to integrate AI, every successful energy solution or innovation will be needed. And Brown is excited about the future of consortiums like those Cisco is leading in Texas.

“Cisco and Juniper may be fierce competitors in the IT world,” he said, “but we share a common goal when it comes to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. It will be great to see more cooperation like this.”

At the same time, Cisco’s solutions around AI, smart grids, smart buildings, more energy-efficient products, and circularity will combine with new new PPAs — to support the needs of Cisco customers and contribute to a net-zero future. “Our goal is to create more renewable energy for Cisco to use,” Smith said. “But in supporting new wind and solar farms, we’re also bringing more diverse sources of energy to the grid and to the communities. And that helps to strengthen energy resiliency.”

As De Wysocki stressed, the cooperation inherent in Power Purchase Agreements bodes well for the future.

“The more we work with diverse stakeholders,” she concluded, “as well as so many of our customers and partners on thinking through the demand, our investments in renewables, and our net-zero goals, I think we can really make this possible.”

Continue reading here.

From record-breaking races to behind-the-scenes precision, SailGP’s 2025 season is a masterclass in speed, strategy, and logistical excellence. As the teams battle it out on high-tech F50 catamarans across the globe, DP World powers the action as SailGP’s Official Global Logistics Partner—delivering seamless transport of critical race infrastructure, enabling historic doubleheader weekends in the U.S., and supporting game-changing initiatives like the first-ever Women’s Performance Camp. With New York up next and the championship race tighter than ever, the drama is just getting started.

SEATTLE, May 13, 2025 /3BL/ – Washington Farmland Trust, a nonprofit that protects threatened farmland and supports farmers across the state, has received a $400,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation.

Funds from the grant will support the organization’s Farm to Farmer program, which helps farmers find land, access resources, and thrive as business owners and stewards of the land. This is the largest private grant this program has received to date. The program has a special focus on assisting farmer collectives in gaining long-term tenure of farmland, a model that leverages collective expertise and resources to allow farmers to build viable businesses and secure land affordably. The collective model is greater than the sum of its parts, empowering farmers to work together to overcome challenges and achieve shared goals.

The Farm to Farmer program offers dedicated support for farmer collectives through all stages of formation and organizational development, working through the funding and land acquisition process and bringing together networks of like-minded individuals.

“At KeyBank, our mission is to help the communities we serve thrive,” said Brian Marlow, KeyBank’s Washington State Market President. “The Farm to Farmer program is a vital step toward creating a food system that benefits everyone, where local farmers can come together to build sustainable businesses as they provide fresh, healthy food to their neighbors.”

“Through my role supporting farmer collectives at Washington Farmland Trust and as a farmer myself, I know first-hand how difficult it is to farm. Collective farming models offer a solution to the isolation, land access challenges, and affordability concerns that so many farmers face. I am deeply grateful to this multi-year grant from the KeyBank Foundation so that we can keep supporting this important work.” Alex Machado, Farmer Collectives Manager, Washington Farmland Trust.

About Washington Farmland Trust 
Washington Farmland Trust (WFT) is an accredited land trust working to protect and steward threatened farmland across the state. WFT aims to keep land in production by making it accessible to a new generation of farmers. Since its founding 25 years ago, Washington Farmland Trust has conserved 34 farms, stewarded 3,747 acres, and provided direct support to 610 farmers. Learn more at wafarmlandtrust.org/25.

About KeyCorp
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

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• First-of-their-kind tests evaluated thermal treatment of AFFF fire fighting foam, PFAS-contaminated soil and spent carbon water treatment media
• Testing conducted based on EPA’s most current guidance for solids, liquids and stack air emission, including products of incomplete combustion (PICs) using the OTM-45 and OTM-50 methods
• Results demonstrated high temperature incineration is reliable and proven disposal solution for high concentrations of targeted PFAS, destroying greater than 99% of targeted substances, including up to 99.9999% of PFOS and PFHxS

PORT ARTHUR, Texas, May 13, 2025 /3BL/ – Veolia has published the waste management industry’s most comprehensive testing to date on the incineration of PFAS compounds. The tests demonstrated that high temperature incineration is a proven and reliable disposal solution for high concentrations of targeted PFAS, destroying greater than 99% of targeted substances, including up to 99.9999% of PFOS and PFHxS.

PFAS contamination is a critical challenge due to its widespread presence and persistent nature. This testing, conducted using the EPA’s most current guidance, advances the scientific understanding of PFAS disposal and gives cities and industries more options for management of these compounds.

The two-phased study was conducted at Veolia’s hazardous waste incinerator in Port Arthur, Texas in July and October of 2024 by a third party provider. The facility was chosen based on its track record of managing PFAS-containing material, and its ability to reach a secondary combustion chamber temperature of 2,040 degrees Fahrenheit and a residence time of 2.3 seconds.

The testing evaluated thermal treatment of AFFF fire fighting foam, PFAS-contaminated soil and spent carbon water treatment media in alignment with the EPA’s most current guidance for solids, liquids and stack air emissions (EPA Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS – April 8, 2024). The testing used the OTM-45 and OTM-50 methods to evaluate products of incomplete combustion (PICs) in stack air emissions. The test results were recently announced at the 2025 PFAS Forum V in Tampa, Florida.

The key findings of the testing included:

• Overall result: High temperature incineration is an efficient disposal solution for high concentrations of targeted PFAS, destroying greater than 99% of targeted substances, including up to 99.9999% of PFOS and PFHxS.
• Solid residue: In 41 of 45 samples, there were no detectable quantities of the target PFAS in any of the ash, slag or filter cake. In four ash samples, target PFAS levels close to the method detection limit were identified.
• Liquid residue: Very low levels of the target PFAS were detected in liquid residues; the target PFAS residuals were below the method detection minimum, as well as the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set by the EPA for drinking water.
• Air emissions:The destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) was greater than 99% for the majority of target PFAS, and few to no PICs were detected during incineration, indicating highly effective destruction.

“This testing demonstrated that high temperature incineration is a reliable and proven disposal solution for high concentrations of targeted PFAS. Veolia takes our role as industry leaders seriously, which is why we take a scientific approach in conducting the industry’s most comprehensive, modern and credible testing of PFAS incineration. As part of our GreenUp strategy, we have curated the industry’s only truly end-to-end solution for PFAS management: Beyond PFAS. This test is one more step in our journey to protect human health and the environment,” said Bob Cappadona, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business.

Veolia provides drinking water to more than 9 million people across the United States and is in the forefront of the fight against PFAS. It has treated more than 24 billion gallons of water for PFAS at more than 30 sites, with dozens more under construction or in planning.

Veolia’s BeyondPFAS suite of offerings helps industries and businesses confronting the challenge of regulated PFAS compounds in their water supplies, work processes or waste streams. It streamlines Veolia’s offerings with a holistic approach from initial site assessment and sampling, to implementation of tailored treatment technologies, through proper handling and disposing of contaminants in line with current EPA-recommended methods such as incineration, deep well injection and secured, approved landfills.

As science and the public continue to learn more about PFAS compounds, Veolia’s BeyondPFAS offering will become a key part of the company’s strategy to bolster its leading role in addressing the world’s ecological problems. It also exemplifies the goals of Veolia’s global GreenUp strategy, which strives to lead the ecological transformation of the planet by accelerating water quality improvement, hazardous waste treatment and disposal, decarbonization and technological innovation.

ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA

A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. 
www.veolianorthamerica.com 

ABOUT VEOLIA GROUP

Veolia Group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.
www.veolia.com

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this statement is based on the Veolia group’s understanding and know-how of the scientific, regulatory and technical fields discussed herein as of the time of publication. No contractual undertaking or offer is made on the basis hereof and no representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for the purpose of the relevant information. Descriptions contained herein apply exclusively to those examples and/or to the general situations specifically referenced, and in no event should they be considered to apply to specific scenarios without prior review and validation. Statements that may be interpreted as predictive of future outcomes or performance should not be considered guarantees of such, but rather reasoned assessments of the possible evolution of the technologies described.

No contractual undertaking or offer is made on the basis of this statement, any contractual commitment or relationship being subject to the conclusion of separately documented written agreement(s) between Veolia and its co-contractant(s).

CONTACT
VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
Nate Pepper
Vice President, Communications
346-351-0024
nathan.pepper@veolia.com

SAN FRANCISCO, May 13, 2025 /3BL/ – Engage for Good, the leading company empowering corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial social impact partnerships, and Adyen, the financial technology platform of choice for leading companies, today announced the release of the 2025 Charity Checkout Champions Report — which highlights point-of-sale fundraising among corporations and nonprofits. This year’s report examines 92 total campaigns, with 37 raising at least $500,000 at checkout, offering retailers and nonprofits a clear blueprint for modern charitable giving that resonates with consumers.

The seventh biennial Charity Checkout Champions Report underscores a powerful truth: checkout fundraising still works — but only when it’s easy, emotionally resonant and well-timed. This year’s report shows new momentum in the space and a shift toward trust-driven, community-focused philanthropy.

“We wanted this year’s report to reflect what’s really happening at checkout — not just who raised the most, but how they did it and why it worked,” said Faye McCray, Head of Content & Digital Media at Engage for Good. “This is data with integrity, drawn from campaigns that cut through noise with clarity and purpose.”

This year’s report revealed that brands saw stronger results when they launched shorter, timely campaigns tied to current events, seasonal moments or urgent needs like disaster relief and mental health. Another finding showed that consumers were more likely to follow through with giving when the format was easy and simple, acting as a natural part of the purchase experience instead of an interruption.

Other key findings include:

• Nearly 50% of respondents cited time-bound, cause-specific campaigns as the most successful format
• 81% of top campaigns used set-dollar prompts — offering a fixed donation amount during checkout
• Top-performing causes for campaigns included mental health, hunger and disaster relief
• 25% of respondents reported a sales lift during the period in which they ran a fundraising campaign

“Checkout fundraising campaigns are the most powerful — and most underestimated — social impact tool in retail. While brands debate purpose in the boardroom, consumers are already engaging with their wallets at the register,” said Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good. “If you’re not fundraising at checkout, you’re leaving both impact and loyalty on the table. This report reveals what actually works at checkout to inspire generosity and build loyalty. It’s not about playing it safe — it’s about doing it smart.”

The report also highlights a growing interest in local giving, showing that consumers are more inclined to give when causes feel personal, timely and community-based. Meanwhile, despite the ongoing buzz around AI, a whopping 88% of companies noted they don’t currently use AI in their checkout giving strategies — signaling a wide-open opportunity for brands to start testing AI now.

“Brands around the world are using payments technology to let their customers support causes directly with donations at checkout. With this report, we can help businesses use this tool more successfully, and create a meaningful impact that’s good for business and good for the world,” said Savannah Lennertz, Senior Impact Partnership Manager at Adyen. “Adyen’s Giving technology has helped global brands generate more than $25 million through 35 million individual micro-transactions by making donations-at-checkout frictionless. With our published matching commitment, we stand behind our belief that everyday actions can become engines of global impact.”

To download the 2025 Charity Checkout Champions Report, please visit https://engageforgood.com/meet-americas-charity-checkout-champions-2025/.

About Engage for Good

Engage for Good is the leading community of corporate social impact professionals, equipping leaders with the connections, best practices, and support they need to build high-impact partnerships that drive both business and social value.

Our offerings include: (1) The Engage for Good Conference — the premier national event convening leaders from Fortune 100 companies and top nonprofits. (2) The Halo Awards — the first and most prestigious honor recognizing excellence in corporate social impact. (3) A thriving membership of 19,000+ professionals working across CSR, ESG, DEI, philanthropy, and purpose. (4) Consulting services for nonprofits seeking to build or grow successful corporate partnerships. (5) Partnerships to help you reach CSR decision makers with your products and services.

About Adyen

Adyen (ADYEN:AMS) is the financial technology platform of choice for leading companies. By providing end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products in a single global solution, Adyen helps businesses achieve their ambitions faster. With offices around the world, Adyen works with the likes of Meta, Uber, H&M, eBay, and Microsoft.

Media Contact
Brandy Patton-Miller
prforengageforgood@bospar.com

In part two of this three part series, we explore how in 2018, Columbus City Schools (CCS) partnered with Ohio State University Extension to develop a guidebook.  The guidebook was shared with 46 CCS teachers who gave feedback about the guidebook.  Scotts Miracle-Gro and Scotts Miracle Gro Foundation helped gather the supplies for the experience.

Our purpose to GroMoreGood takes many forms. One of those special moments happened with Columbus City Schools in Ohio, where the magic of a single idea blossomed beyond its original intent and became something bigger, something greater. The growth journey of the Columbus City Schools program epitomizes GroMoreGood. A new generation of kids is developing a lifelong connection to the earth.

The idea 
Early in her career, school teacher Katie Young had a writing assignment for her students that was based on a simple question: Do you know where food comes from? Not one of the students answered that it comes from the earth. Katie knew this had to change. 

In 2018, the Columbus City Schools Farm to School program was born in partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The Ohio State University Extension. Teachers were given tools and Miracle-Gro supplies to teach kids how to create, tend to and harvest gardens full of fresh vegetables.

Starting to grow 
The initial group of teachers embraced the program, and students did, too. Soon, more schools and teachers were brought into the program, and it started delivering results that exceeded all original expectations.

Benefits beyond expectations 
Students experienced mental health benefits from touching the dirt and taking care of the plants on a regular basis. 

High school students talked about the therapeutic aspect of gardening and the way working with plants brought them a sense of peace. 

Another group of students created ways to invite the community to participate in the gardens, which went beyond the classroom. 

While elementary school students discovered that fresh foods are delicious, sometimes on their own and sometimes when added to a smoothie or pizza!

Read more about ScottsMiracle-Gro and the partnership with the Columbus City Schools.

Watch the video here.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro 
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.