Recent Press Releases
5/12/99
Growing Partnerships for the Future
(Baton Rouge, La.) - For the second year in a row, the Louisiana Ammonia Producers (LAP) donated about 450 science school kits to teachers in the river parishes. This is part of a multi-year effort to discuss the benefits of ammonia produced in Louisiana.

LAP targeted nearly 13,000 second graders in a six-parish region with the award winning school kits, titled "Raising Radishes With Amazing Ammonia," designed to teach children about plant growth and how ammonia fertilizers help farmers grow enough food to feed the world.

In addition, a teacher's lesson plan was added to the school kits this year, titled "Sprouting Super Spuds." The new component is designed to expand on the link between agriculture and fertilizer produced here in Louisiana.

"I was so excited to see that the Louisiana Ammonia Producers were partnering with local school boards and the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators (LRCE) to distribute these fertilizer school kits. As an educator, I know teachers really value the effort that local industry puts into making these partnerships so successful," said Roxson Welch, Science Specialist, LRCE.

The "Raising Radishes With Amazing Ammonia" school kits were used in second grade classes in both public and private schools in Ascension, Assumption, St. John, St. James, St. Charles and parts of Iberville and Jefferson parishes.

"We are always looking for ways to partner with local education. The idea of a hands-on project that makes the connection between the product we make and how it is used in our everyday lives makes this project such a great fit," said Judy Nordgren, LAP Communications Director/ Public Affairs, Borden Chemicals & Plastics.

The kits include fertilizer, soil, peat pots, radish seeds, coloring books and journals for every child, a classroom poster, achievement certificates and stickers and a detailed lesson plan.

The "Raising Radishes With Amazing Ammonia" lesson plan was developed by Latrenda Knighten, a science specialist in East Baton Rouge Parish. The "Sprouting Super Spuds" lesson plan was developed by Roxson Welch. LAP coordinated this school kit effort with LRCE and sponsored teacher training sessions in each parish. More than 430 teachers attended the training sessions.

The LAP members include Borden Chemicals & Plastics, CF Industries, Cytec Industries, Farmland Industries, IMC-Agrico, Koch-Nitrogen, Monsanto, PCS Nitrogen and Triad Nitrogen. These companies employ more than 3,500 people, contribute $35 million to the economy in local and state taxes every year and purchase more than $500 million in goods and services from businesses across Louisiana.

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