Posted on by Mike Lieberman

Keeping Transparent About Sponsors

This is post that I was debating about writing or just letting it pass. I decided to write it because I have been so vocal about having sponsorships. I thought it was only fair.

Last week, I wrote the post about Miracle-Gro being organic and how I didn’t care. In the comments of the Facebook thread, someone mentioned that one of my sponsors was selling Round-Up.

If you’ve been following along the discussions, you would know that this is a product of chemical gardening that I speak out against (some might say too often). When I checked out the link provided for me, sure enough MasterGardening is selling Round-Up.

As I bring new sponsors on, I usually do my due diligence to look into them and what they are offering. Their offering of Round-Up is something that I completely missed. It was a mistake on my end. I don’t fault or blame MasterGardening. They were not trying to trick me. I accept full responsibility.

As soon as I found this out, I cut off ties with MasterGardening and have refunded them. I have nothing against them and appreciate them wanting to be a sponsor. If I would have realized from the beginning that they were selling Round-Up, I wouldn’t have started the relationship.

The reason that I am writing this is because I want to be upfront and honest with you about what’s going on. I don’t want to just sweep it under the table and act like nothing happened. By doing that I think it would be a disservice and disrespectful to you.

What do you think about the situation?

40 Replies to “Keeping Transparent About Sponsors”

  2. I think you handled the situation appropriately and I’m glad you aren’t a sellout! 🙂

  4. You check your sources, as you say, but one got in under the fence. I don’t fault you for  it, as soon as you learned of the Monsanto Link you did what you needed to do. I enjoy your writing and your work, you are a solid resource for information.

  11. I applaud you for it. Shows your integrity, also gives us UOG followers a chance to delete that sponsor from our bookmarks 😉

  24. I think you acted admirably. It takes integrity and honor to turn down cash, so you can stand by your principles. 

  27. You did great, sweetie.  I’m proud of you..for being up front with us all and for standing up for yourself and your beliefs.  So good to see such commitment and honesty.  Hugs to you. 🙂 

  29. You did what you said you would do from the start.  I sure wish more people would take a page out of your book.  Keeping oneself true to their word and responsible for their actions is what we should all be striving for.  Thank you for setting a good example, Mike.

  31. I think its good that you’re willing to reevaluate your sponsors. Thank you for being so honest with your readers, it makes me trust this site as a reliable source of info.

  32. I think its good that you’re willing to reevaluate your sponsors. Thank you for being so honest with your readers, it makes me trust this site as a reliable source of info.

  36. Mike- I think you approached this in a very professional way.  You were fair to the sponsor, but also to yourself & your cause. I think not only will this sponsor get the message, but this also sends a very clear message to other groups that organic gardening isn’t just a “fad” or a “whim”.  It’s a conscious choice, a way of life and it’s more than just a mission statement.  My mom used to always tell me to “protest with my feet” when I wasn’t happy with a situation- whether it was dealing with an out of touch political representative or a power-hungry professor- kudos for the social leadership.  Hopefully more will follow your lead. 

  40. Work at westlake and both miracle grow and round up are Scott’s products how funny is that guess they are playing on both sides of the team

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