Region's BioScience Leaders Step Up to the Plate to Fight Hunger

Online, July 27, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Cardinals' fans are invited to learn how plant and life sciences are a homerun for St. Louis during "BioScience Day at the Ballpark," Sunday, August 28 at Busch Stadium. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a not-for-profit working to eradicate malnutrition and preserve the planet through plant science, the St. Louis Cardinals and more than a dozen St. Louis organizations in the bioscience sector will step up to the plate to fight hunger at Busch Stadium. Fans will have a chance to connect with several of the participating businesses and organizations in Ford Plaza prior to and during the game to learn how local businesses and organizations are establishing St. Louis' global reputation for scientific excellence.

The special day at Busch Stadium is designed to highlight our region's leadership in biosciences and the potential it brings for new industries, an educated workforce and jobs. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit World Food Day Commemoration on October 14-15 hosted by the Danforth Center. For more information visit, http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com.

World Food Day marks the founding of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and is designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. Cardinals' fans who sign up during the baseball game to volunteer to package food at Danforth Center's World Food Day Commemoration on October 14th & 15th will receive a voucher for a discounted ticket to a future game.

"We are grateful to Bill DeWitt and the St. Louis Cardinals for the opportunity to showcase our region's expertise in bioscience and to educate people of all ages about our efforts to find solutions to critical issues such as world hunger and energy independence," said William H. Danforth, chair Danforth Plant Science Center. "I hope fans will attend the game on August 28 and also participate in the World Food Day commemoration on October 14 & 15."

"BioScience Day at the Ballpark" is supported by many local companies and organizations including:

MVP Level Sponsor
Monsanto

Grand Slam Sponsor
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Triple Level Sponsor
Novus International

Double Level Sponsor
Biomerieux

Single Level Sponsors
CoFactor Genomics
St. Louis Community College
stlouisgreen.com
St. Louis Science Center
Pure Power
Plant and Life Science Network
Moneta
SCOPE

Day of Event Media Contacts: Karla Goldstein, (314) 406-4287 or Melanie Bernds (314) 605-6363.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research at the Danforth Center will feed the hungry and improve human health, preserve and renew the environment, and enhance the St. Louis region and Missouri as a world center for plant science. The Center's work is funded through competitive grants and contract revenue from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center invites you to visit its new website, www.danforthcenter.org, featuring interactive information on the Center's scientists, news and research, including the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels, the Center for Advanced Biofuel Research, and the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. Public education outreach, RSS feeds and the brand-new "Roots & Shoots" blog help keep visitors up to date with Center's current operations and areas of research.

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