Water Matters
What Is Water Matters?
Initiated in 1995, Water Matters is an international Cargill Cares partnership encouraging employees, retirees and their families to learn about local water-quality issues and to get involved in programs and activities addressing those issues at home, at work and in the community. Cargill has contributed more than $2 million for more than 250 Water Matters projects completed by Cargill employees and partner organizations.
Looking forward, we plan to expand our efforts globally in the area of water protection and conservation. Cargill’s new citizenship strategy includes additional funding and volunteer support for programs that protect and improve accessibility to water resources, educate children about conservation and preservation and promote agricultural management practices that reduce impact and promote sustainability.
How To Participate In Water Matters
Cargill businesses, employees and community organizations in Cargill communities can participate in and receive support for Water Matters projects in several ways:
Protecting Groundwater Communities interested in taking steps to protect local groundwater supplies may participate in Groundwater Guardian, a program of the Groundwater Foundation. The program provides a framework for community action, helps citizens make improvements in existing programs and connects them with others around the region and country engaged in similar issues and action. Cargill is a National Partner of the Groundwater Foundation. Currently 13 Cargill communities have been recognized for their efforts to protect groundwater. For more information about why your Cargill community should become a Groundwater Guardian, call Rachel Herpel, Groundwater Foundation, 402-434-2740 or Rebecca Oswald, Cargill, 952-742-6207.
Promoting river stewardship Since 1998, Cargill has partnered with Living Lands and Waters, an environmental organization dedicated to promoting river stewardship and protecting natural resources. Hundreds of Cargill employees have donated their time to Living Lands and Waters river cleanups on the Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi and Potomac Rivers. Cargill also supports the organization’s river-education seminars and river-bottom reforestation projects.
Supporting environmental education Cargill has sponsored teachers from around the United States to attend the Keystone Science School Key Issues Institute, a one-of- a-kind national teacher-development program focusing on the environment and sustainability. Sponsored teachers then partner with their local Cargill location to offer hands-on learning for students.
Creating local partnerships Cargill businesses partner with local organizations to support water-quality education and activities in their communities. Cargill supports these activities through its Water Matters Mini-Grant Program with funds that generally range from US$1,000 to US$3,000. The Conservation Fund administers the program. Interested nonprofit organizations should partner with their local Cargill location to submit a completed application.
Cargill locations interested in participating in large-scale projects that meet both business and community needs for addressing water-quality issues may be eligible for matching funds. Eligible projects for environmental improvements in targeted Cargill locations must incorporate education and awareness components for students and community members. For more information, contact Rebecca Oswald, 952-742-6207.
Water Matters Successes
• Cargill Pork in Russellville, Arkansas, United States, has been a part of a Groundwater Guardian team since 1999. In 2003, employee volunteers completed highway cleanups, worked with farmers to identify and treat potential groundwater issues and talked with students about water conservation using interactive models.
• Cargill employees and families joined in Living Lands & Waters’ first Potomac River Cleanup in Washington, D.C. in Spring 2004. Their efforts were a part of a month-long, 50-ton-trash-removal event.
• Cargill Grain and Oilseed Crush in Gainesville, Georgia, United States, sponsored a teacher to the Keystone Science School. During the following school year, her classes visited the facility to do water-quality testing and had visits from employees regarding other environmental lessons.
• Retirees and employees at Cargill headquarters use a Water Matters Mini Grant to help sponsor a children’s water festival for the community. They also are presenters at this annual event, using a model and games to make learning about water fun and effective
• With a location contribution matched by Cargill, Cargill Meat Solutions in Friona, Texas, United States, is partnering with the city to re-build the city’s only body of water into a community park including paved trails and lights. They will volunteer with schoolchildren to plant native species and conduct water-quality experiments, using Water Matters Mini Grants to fund these activities for the school.