Environmental Stewardship Programs
As we strive to reduce our environmental footprint on the world, we seek to partner with organizations that demonstrate responsible stewardship of natural resources. These programs and projects work to protect and improve accessibility to water resources, educate children about conservation and preservation, and promote agriculture management practices that reduce impact and promote sustainability.
Water Matters
Water Matters is international program to engage Cargill employees in projects that promote water-quality education and action. In partnership with The Conservation Fund, Cargill provides Water Matters Mini Grants of up to US$3,000 to nonprofit organizations working to raise awareness of and find solutions to water quality and management issues in Cargill communities. Examples include water festivals, lake cleanups, and water-quality testing. Applications must be completed with the support of the local Cargill facility. Questions may be directed to Rebecca Oswald at 952-742-6207.
The Nature Conservancy
Since 1983, Cargill has provided support to The Nature Conservancy to help fund a range of conservation initiatives in the Upper Midwest and Great Plains regions including Minnesota, Nebraska, and Canada. In the coming year, Cargill will work with TNC to address conservation and biodiversity issues in Brazil, China and along the Mississippi River in the United States. Questions about Cargill’s partnership may be directed to Michelle Grogg at 952-742-2931.
Groundwater Guardian
Cargill is a national partner of the Groundwater Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating people about groundwater and motivating them to take action. Currently, 13 Cargill locations are members of local Groundwater Guardian teams. Teams—with members from area business, city water officials, school staff, and other community members—provide a framework for community action, promote activities to protect local water supplies, and connect with others around the region and country engaged in similar activities. Cargill employees are encouraged to join existing teams or to be a sparkplug to begin a GWG team in their communities. Questions about Cargill’s partnership may be directed to Rebecca Oswald at 952- 742-6207.
Keystone Science School
Cargill has supported the Keystone Science School since 1993 to provide environmental-education opportunities for teachers from Cargill communities. Located in Keystone, Colorado, United States, the summer program brings educators together to discuss tools to teach students to investigate environmental issues. Cargill locations partner with the selected teachers to bring environmental projects to the students and the wider community. Questions about Cargill’s partnership may be directed to Rebecca Oswald at 952-742-6207.
Living Lands & Waters
Since 1998 Cargill has sponsored Living Lands & Waters, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the United States’ major waterways and their watersheds. Cargill, with its connection to the rivers in the Midwest United States, funds the organization’s community river cleanups, educational seminars, adopt-a-mile program and river bottom reforestation project. Cargill employee volunteers along the Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Potomac Rivers have worked alongside the organization’s founder, Chad Pregracke, and his crew to pull tons of garbage from the waters while learning more about how the rivers impact their communities. Questions about Cargill’s partnership may be directed to Rebecca Oswald at 952-742-6207.