Agriculture Zone to be built inside Chukchansi Park

FRESNO, Calif - Gar and Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation and Gar Tootelian, Inc. have partnered with the Fresno Grizzlies to become the official sponsor of a new Agriculture Zone at Chukchansi Park. The zone, which will be completed by 2014 Opening Day, will be named the Gar Tootelian Agriculture Zone and will promote the Grizzlies Community Fund's (GCF) Farm Grown program that supports Central San Joaquin Valley agriculture, education, sustainability, and health and wellness. The sponsorship agreement includes the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 baseball seasons.

            "Baseball and Farming are true Americana traditions and have shared many fields - so, it is only natural that Gar Tootelian, Inc. and their Charitable Foundation partner with the Grizzlies to cultivate agricultural awareness and educate fans and consumers of all ages on the value and importance of agriculture," stated Karen Musson of GAR.

The Gar Tootelian Agriculture Zone will feature a farm-themed setting on the outfield concourse behind left field. The Ag Zone will include displays and signage boards that will highlight the Central Valley's agriculture business, as well as partners of the Farm Grown program. The larger-than-life interactive zone will also feature an oversized baseball and bat, making it one of the more unique stadium elements in the United States.

"We believe Central Valley farmers and the Ag industry as a whole should be recognized for their commitment in feeding the nation and being a major contributor to the world economy," said Grizzlies Director of Corporate Partnerships and Community Fund Jerry James. "The dedication GAR and their foundation have shown to raise awareness for agriculture and sustainability is precisely what our Farm Grown program has been established for. We're excited to break ground on a signature feature inside Chukchansi Park that educates and highlights our area's past, present, and future."

GAR joins the growing list of Farm Grown partners and supporters working to promote agriculture in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

ABOUT FARM GROWN

Established in 2012, the Grizzlies Community Fund's (GCF) Farm Grown program promotes the agricultural heritage and philanthropic vitality of the Central San Joaquin Valley through the building of meaningful partnerships in support of education and healthy living. Farm Grown has been a central component to the GCF's Wild About Reading program, in which 100,000 students annually receive a Farm Grown magazine that serves as a call to action for reading outside of the classroom.

ABOUT GAR AND ESTHER TOOTELIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Founded in 2003, the Gar and Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation was established to recognize the achievement of their founders and as a tribute to the vast contribution Central Valley Agriculture makes to the health and freedom of our communities and nation. Over the last 10 years, the Foundation, with the assistance of Gar Tootelian, Inc., has given $1 Million in gifts. The Foundation's gifts are focused on scholarships, promoting Agricultural literacy, and showing appreciation and respect for the value of agriculture.