Contacts:
Bill Brady, 952-742-6608
Ann Tucker, 952-742-4057
NatureWorks LLC Donates $60,000 to Blair High School for Greenhouse Project
Ag and science students to benefit from hands-on experience
BLAIR, Neb- NatureWorks, LLC, today announced a contribution of $60,000 to help Blair High School complete a greenhouse-building project initiated by students in the 2004-05 agribusiness class. The 1,800-square-foot commercial-style greenhouse will give students in agricultural and science courses experience in growing and marketing flower crops and experimenting with biological and environmental variables in plants. The contribution is part of a settlement between NatureWorks and the State of Nebraska related to an EPA air violation from 2002 during the construction of the plant. As part of the settlement, the company worked with the state to select a deserving non-profit environmental project in the area to receive funds.
In addition to the greenhouse contribution, NatureWorks and its parent company, Cargill, will jointly contribute $3,000 to support environmental education programs for Blair High School students. The donation is part the commitment of both companies to promoting innovation in education and environmental stewardship.
“The realization of a greenhouse and the curriculum associated with this program will benefit a great many students for years to come,” said Blair Community Schools Superintendent Steven Shanahan. “NatureWorks and the entire Cargill family have consistently supported the Blair schools, not only financially, but with their willingness to share their expertise with our students and staff. Their involvement in the environmental education of our students has been a key element in the development of our programs. This donation is just one more example of that support.”
Students had raised more than $28,000 toward the greenhouse from more than 30 individuals and organizations before the $60,000 NatureWorks contribution was announced. The $88,000 total will enable the construction to be completed and the greenhouse to be fully stocked. “NatureWorks is very pleased to add the final financial piece to this effort so that Blair’s enterprising students can realize their vision,” said Carey Buckles, site manager, NatureWorks LLC. “We think it’s a highly innovative approach to agriculture and business education that is certain to benefit the whole school, and ultimately the whole community.”
NatureWorks LLC is wholly owned by Cargill, which corporately contributes more than $36 million annually to charitable and nonprofit organizations around the world. Since 1996, Cargill has been a participant and lead sponsor of Nebraska’s Children’s Groundwater Festival held annually in Grand Island to teach children the importance of protecting water resources. Employees of Cargill and its affiliated businesses in Blair have also been instrumental in forming Rebuilding Together Washington County, an organization committed to refurbishing homes in the area. More than 10 homes have been refurbished over the last two years.
About NatureWorks LLC
NatureWorks LLC is a stand-alone company wholly owned by Cargill. Dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow, NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available greenhouse-gas-neutral polymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with cost and performance that compete with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers. The company applies its unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer, which is marketed under the NatureWorks® polymer and Ingeo® fibers brand names. For more information about NatureWorks LLC and its brands, please visit www.natureworksllc.com.
About NatureWorks® polymer
NatureWorks LLC’s proprietary process for manufacturing NatureWorks® polymer centers on the fermentation, distillation and polymerization of dextrose, a simple plant sugar made from corn. The company essentially harvests the carbon stored in the sugars to make polylactic acid (PLA), a polymer with similar characteristics to traditional thermoplastics.
In addition to the appeal of its annually renewable feedstock, NatureWorks® polymer offers many other environmentally preferred benefits. It is the world’s first greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer.* In addition, from cradle to resin, its production uses 68 percent less fossil fuel resources than traditional plastics. Products made from NatureWorks® polymer have the flexibility to be disposed of in several manners, including commercial composting.
About Cargill
Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 149,000 employees in 63 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed.