ScottsMiracle-Gro 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report: The Legacy Project

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, in partnership with the Hagedorn Legacy Foundation, is helping Central Ohio area students unlock their inner potential to achieve their educational and vocational goals through The Legacy Project. The program’s mission is to empower youth through possibility thinking and innovative problem-solving, for greater personal freedom, social mobility and the betterment of their communities. Originating from the desire to help students grow their “grit”—that strength of character so vital to success—The Legacy Project is designed to help students become their best selves and succeed both in and after high school.

One-on-one, individualized coaching is central to the program, in addition to career exposure opportunities and experiential learning activities. There are currently 38 students in the program from Metro Early College High School and Whitehall Yearling High School. ScottsMiracle-Gro associates volunteer to mentor program participants, and the students benefit from visits to our Marysville, Ohio, campus to meet with leaders in Marketing, R&D, Finance and other departments.

“One of the Scotts scientists said she was always fascinated with bugs and how they affected the environment,” said Olivia Garrett, Whitehall Legacy student. “I didn’t know that having an interest in bugs could become a career. I can see myself doing that job someday.”

The program fosters the growth of key character traits while supporting developmental life skills and entrepreneurial thinking that enable students to achieve short- and long-term career objectives. These goals include college, technical/ vocational education or entrepreneurial pathways to move into the workforce.

Students are provided with the following:

• Individualized coaching
• Tuition toward post-secondary education
• Educational and career goal identification and setting
• Opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs and develop their own entrepreneurial thinking skills
• Career exposure opportunities
• Community mentors to identify with and learn from

Much has changed in the world over the past year. For our students, their families and the program staff, COVID-19 has significantly impacted how we live and interact with one another. 

Through all of this, we are proud of our Metro and Whitehall Legacy Project students. They are applying what they’ve learned in the program to better navigate their daily lives while being quarantined at home. With support from our dedicated partners at The Ohio State University, Mayerson Academy and Global Financial Partners, experiential learning activities have successfully gone virtual. Our team of coaches has continued individualized coaching sessions with students throughout the pandemic. 

While distance-learning practices remain in effect, the Legacy staff will ensure students continue to have access to the resources and educational experiences associated with the program.

Read the full ScottsMiracle-Gro 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report