Education Programs

Through support of these and additional programs, Cargill helps promote innovation in education. Cargill focuses on promoting leadership development, increasing access to education and helping socio-economically disadvantaged youth to develop logic and thinking skills.

AFS
In 2004, Cargill and AFS launched a partnership to foster intercultural understanding through international educational exchange experiences. The project connects students in Latin American and Midwest United States communities. Students selected for the study-abroad program receive a partial scholarship to attend school, stay with a host family and be a part of a new community, enriching their global understanding. Questions about Cargill’s partnership may be directed to Rebecca Oswald at (952) 742-6207.

Employee and Retiree Matching Gifts
Through matching gifts, Cargill can maximize the impact of employee giving to a cause that is important to both employees and the company: education. All employees and retirees of Cargill and its joint venture partners are eligible to receive dollar-for-dollar corporate matching gifts to eligible higher education institutions in the United States.

Promoting Health and Safety on the Family Farm

With more than 400 locations in rural communities across rural United States and Canada, Cargill is deeply connected to the people who live, work and raise families on farms. Cargill has contributed more than $1 million to Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) and Progressive Agriculture Foundation for programs to teach young children how to be safe on the farm.

In 2004 Cargill provided funding to FS4JK to bring a new curriculum to enhance the safety and health of kids living and visiting farms. Cargill’s support will be used to develop Rural Health Resource Kits covering an array of topics including food safety, water safety, sun safety, respiratory protection, and ergonomics and hearing protection. A special grant was also made in 2004 to Progressive Agriculture Foundation to develop a food safety program to be used at the safety camps. Interactive, hands-on and age appropriate materials will be offered at the farm safety camps that encourage safe food handling. Topics may include safe handling of meat, fish, poultry; food storage; packing safe lunches; hand washing, etc.

Scholarships
As part of our overall commitment to education, Cargill provides more than $800,000 annually in higher-education scholarships in the United States designed to support students in Cargill communities as well as sons and daughters of employees.