CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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<TYPE>EX-10.1
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<DESCRIPTION>MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 10.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B><U>CONFIDENTIAL </U></B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>TO:</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonny Pennington</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>FROM:</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Bill Brown</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>DATE:</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">April&nbsp;10, 2006</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SUBJECT:</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Modification and Extension of February&nbsp;27, 1998 Employment Agreement and Non-Compete Agreement as amended June&nbsp;2, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dear Sonny: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Per our recent discussions, this is to confirm that we have agreed to modify and extend your February&nbsp;27, 1998 Employment Agreement as amended on June&nbsp;2, 2003 (Employment Agreement) as follows: </FONT></P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">You will continue your employment as President and CEO of Pennington Seed, Inc. through May&nbsp;31, 2006. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">During the period June&nbsp;1, 2006 through September&nbsp;30, 2006, you will remain as President and CEO of Pennington Seed, Inc. provided that at least two of the following three
persons agree. These persons are Bill Brown, Glenn Novotny, and Sonny Pennington. Should two of the three not agree, then you will immediately enter the &#147;Director of Special Projects&#148; role (see item &#147;3)&#148; below).
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Effective October&nbsp;1, 2006, you will resign as President and CEO of Pennington Seed, Inc. and accept the role of &#147;Director of Special Projects&#148; for Central Garden and
Pet &#150; Corporate Division. You will remain in this position until February&nbsp;28, 2011. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">So long as you remain President and CEO of Pennington Seed, Inc. you will remain at your current salary level and be entitled to all current benefits, vacation days, Company
vehicle, bonus potential, and stock option potential. These shall be calculated on a &#147;pro rata&#148; basis should you step down prior to September&nbsp;30, 2006. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">When you assume your role of &#147;Director of Special Projects&#148;, your compensation will be reduced to $100,000 per year. You will be expected to work a maximum of 650 hours
per year (including travel time and Board Meeting time). </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As Director of Special Projects, you will be entitled to participate in Central&#146;s benefit programs (e.g. health insurance, 401K) as an employee. You will be entitled to
continued vesting and exercising any existing stock options. You will be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other Company related expenses. You will report to Glenn Novotny. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">7)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As Director of Special Projects, you will not be entitled to annual executive bonuses, additional stock option grants, or a Company vehicle. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Should the hours worked as Director of Special Projects exceed 650 hours per year, you will be compensated at the rate of $150 per hour. Excess hours will only be required by mutual
agreement. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">9)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">You will not be required to relocate from Madison, Georgia. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">10)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Your two year Non-Compete Agreement will continue. The two year period will begin after you vacate the Director of Special Projects job. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">11)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">12)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Except as herein modified (or modified by the June&nbsp;2, 2003 amendment), the terms and provisions of the Employment Agreement and Non-Compete Agreement will remain in full force
and effect. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: April&nbsp;10, 2006 </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ William E. Brown</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Brooks M. Pennington, III</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">William E. Brown</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Accepted by: Brooks Pennington, III</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chairman</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">President and CEO</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pennington Seed, Inc.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attachments:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Modification and Extension of February&nbsp;27, 1998 Employment Agreement and Non-Compete Agreement dated June 2, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Employment Agreement dated February 27, 1998</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Non-Competition Agreement dated February 27, 1998</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">cc:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Glenn Novotny</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">John Seegal</FONT></TD></TR>
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