Sustainability e-newsletter

Feeding the World Responsibly

Greetings!

Bringing key stories on sustainability initiatives at Agrium - where our vision to help feed the world responsibly means not only helping to grow more food, but to do it in ways that protect the environment, support economic vitality, and enhance communities. Click here to read more stories about how we're working with stakeholders to take action on sustainability.

Western Event Centre & Journey 2050

Agrium took centre stage on Saturday, June 21 during the official opening of the Agrium Western Event Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary. Click here to read the Calgary Herald article.

Photo: Jim Pearce Calgary Herald

"We wanted to create a world-class facility that celebrates agriculture," explained Agrium President & CEO Chuck Magro as he addressed the crowd that included Hon. Michelle Rempel, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification) and Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North, and Alberta Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson amongst its numerous dignitaries and special guests. "Agriculture is at the heart of the Calgary Stampede and at the heart of Agrium."

The Agrium Western Event Centre is the largest facility of its kind in Canada and one of the most signifcant infrastructure projects in the Stampede's 100-year history. Education will also play a pivotal role in the legacy of the Agrium Western Event Centre through a program called Journey 2050: Growing Responsibly. Up to 10,000 children per year will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable farming practices through a unique, interactive and fun program that will be hosted in this facility.

By the year 2050, there will be 9 billion people on the planet. So the big question facing the agricultural industry and society at large is "How are we going to sustainably feed all those people?"

Journey 2050, to be launched in the fall of 2014, will help answer that question by providing an engaging experience that will help middle school students understand how our present-day decisions impact our future lives and also empower and inform future decision makers to become global citizens. The material is science-based and developed to complement the curriculum. Up to two classes will be hosted daily during the week and will be offered year-round. Students from around the world will also be able to take part in this experience through online programming.

4R in Action - Do the Right Thing

By applying the right source of nutrients at the right rate, right place and right time growers worldwide can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet their economic and environmental goa

ls. This video clip shows best management practices used in combination to effectively reduce N2O emissions when they occur. Key science concepts are explored to help stakeholders understand the biological processes at work and how they can be managed to optimize grower returns while increasing yields to feed our growing world.

Agrium is a key supporter in the development of this Global 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. For more information on how diverse stakeholder groups are using 4R Nutrient Management to sustainably intensify their production please go to our sustainability website to explore company and industry efforts world wide.

ResponsibleAg - Agrium Chairs the Board

Through an initiative called ResponsibleAg, the fertilizer industry is taking voluntary steps to (1) improve safety and security associated with storage and handling of fertilizer products, (2) support compliance with federal regulations, (3) demonstrate accountability and transparency, and (4) provide for the safety of our personnel, our customers and our communities as we serve the vital need for crop nutrients. ResponsibleAg was developed by 100 experts representing more than 50 companies from all sectors of the fertilizer industry in an effort to demonstrate responsibility and accountability in the wake of the West, Texas explosion.

Agrium's own Billy Pirkle, Sr. Director, Environmental, Health & Safety, Crop Production Services is the Chairman of the Board. On March 6, Billy testified on behalf of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) at a hearing titled, "Preventing Chemical Threats and Improving Safety: Oversight of the President's Executive Order on Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security." Billy Pirkle announced the launch of ResponsibleAg.

Billy stated "For some retailers, the myriad federal agencies that regulate our industry can be a challenge to navigate, and we understand that government resources are limited. By forming ResponsibleAg, we are choosing to act now to more quickly address these issues."

The ResponsibleAg announcement was met with praise by EPW Committee Chairman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) who indicated her pleasure at seeing the industry take additional steps to ensure that retail facility employees and the communities in which they operate, stay safe.

Click here to find out more.

Caring For Our Watersheds - Bottled Water No More

The CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS program asks students to submit a proposal that answers the question, "What can you do to improve your watershed?" Students must research their local watershed, identify an environmental concern and come up with a realistic solution. Community judges select the top entries to compete at a final competition. Cash awards are given to schools and students who participate. And there is implementation funding available.

Transcona Collegiate high school student, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Lloyd Flores, put that funding to good use. He conducted research and came up with a solution to a problem he observed in his school. There were a large number of plastic water bottles used by the students on a daily basis and he wondered why. Click here to see what he discovered.

Agrium Donates $25k to a Local Library

A $25,000 contribution was made to the Fort Saskatchewan public library to support their expansion. Funds were earmarked for the Computer Zone. An area well used by many residents - from youth doing homework to job-seekers to seniors!