April 19, 2001

McGinnis Farms changes name to John Deere Landscapes

McGinnis Farms, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deere & Company headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, announced today that it is changing its name to John Deere Landscapes.

"Our company offers a complete range of solutions for landscaping and irrigation professionals," said company President Dave Werning as he announced the new name. "Contractors made it very clear to us that given that business mission, John Deere Landscapes was the best and strongest naming option for us. The name communicates quality, professionalism and reliability. These are the attributes our company has stood for in the past and will continue to stand for in the future."

McGinnis Farms, Inc. has operated branches under four different trade names: McGinnis Farms, Jenco Wholesale Nursery, Pipe 'n Heads and Plantland, each recognized as a leading company in the green industry. Today's announcement unifies all operations under a single trade name. "The old structure of four trade names served us well as a regional company," said Sandy Zusmann, Vice President of Marketing. "However, now we have larger aspirations and need to be identified with just one trade name.

John Deere Landscapes will be a unifying brand for our already strong offerings of products and services." The new company logo features the instantly recognizable Deere & Company leaping deer. McGinnis Farms, Inc. was acquired by Deere & Company in January, 2001.The new name provides an excellent platform for the company's continued growth and geographic expansion. "This is an exciting time for our company," says Werning. "With everyone united under one name and one vision, we will more quickly achieve our business goals."

McGinnis Farms, Inc., founded in 1987 by Stan Walker, provides a full service, "one stop shop" concept to the horticultural industry, distributing landscape-related products such as ornamental nursery stock, landscaping supplies, irrigation products, and landscape lighting. McGinnis Farms, Inc. operates 50 branches in 12 states across the Southeast and South Central United States The company had sales of $150 million in 2000. One of the world's oldest and most respected enterprises, Deere & Company creates smart and innovative solutions, in the form of advanced machines, services and concepts, for customers on the farmsite, worksite and homesite worldwide.