Muir Ranch, located on the campus of John Muir High School in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), is a two-acre urban farm that grows over 1,000 produce items per month. The produce grown at the farm and other regional farms support a community supported agriculture (CSA) initiative where boxes of farm fresh produce are sold throughout the Pasadena community. Since its launch in 2011, Muir Ranch has both increased the environmental awareness of students as well as provided them with jobs.
The community event took place Monday, Nov. 24, at John Muir High school. Volunteers from the Tournament of Roses and Miracle-Gro, as well as area students and community leaders, will build, expand and refurbish a pollinator garden on the campus in an effort to enhance lives through green spaces.
"Muir Ranch is a tremendous opportunity to help foster community spirit and bring the benefits of gardens and green spaces to areas in need," said John Sass, Vice President Miracle-Gro. "We are committed to southern California and are proud to partner with the Tournament of Roses and give back to this community."
Volunteers shared a farm-to-table lunch menu. Local dignitaries, Miracle-Gro representatives, Tournament of Roses President Richard L. Chinen, Mayor Bill Bogaard and PUSD Board Member Tyron Hampton provided support.
"In Pasadena, and in areas across the country, green spaces are vital to community growth," adds City of Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard. "We are thrilled to see the ongoing support of this inspiring space for students and the community which helps our environmental and economic footprint. I’m looking forward to seeing this expansion first-hand and helping where I can."
The Muir Ranch initiative is part of ScottsMiracle-Gro’s GRO1000 program, which brings gardens and green spaces to cities in the U.S., Canada and Europe with the goal of 1,000 gardens and green spaces by 2018, the company’s 150th anniversary. In addition to volunteer support provided by the Tournament of Roses, Miracle-Gro has made monetary and in-kind donations to help the Pasadena community’s greening efforts for the past three years.
"The Tournament of Roses three-year partnership with Miracle-Gro to improve green areas in Pasadena has been meaningful and important to our communities. Our members have been able to help with projects and reinforce our commitment to this impactful programming," said Tournament of Roses President Richard L. Chinen.
