Recent Press Releases
6/08/98
Louisiana Ammonia Producers promote fertilizer in schools
(Baton Rouge, La.) - The Louisiana Ammonia Producers donated this spring more than 375 science school kits to teachers across the southern half of the state. It was part of their effort to introduce fertilizer as one of the benefits of ammonia.

LAP targeted second graders in a six-parish region with 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 help feed the world.

"We're trying to teach children about the resources we have in Louisiana. The chemical industry is one of the biggest resources. They not only donate time, they donate money, awards for science fairs and science essay contests. They also come in and do tutoring. They're very supportive here. We love the chemical industry," said Kathy McWaters, science specialist in St. John Parish.

After polling results showed that large numbers of people in Louisiana were not aware of what ammonia is used for, LAP members began a campaign, to talk with their communities about the many benefits of ammonia. The school kits were the culmination of the year-long ammonia awareness campaign.

While people commonly associate ammonia with household cleaning products, 80 percent of all ammonia made in Louisiana is used in fertilizer. The school kits were designed to teach children about ammonia and ammonia fertilizers and how fertilizer affects plant growth.

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

"We targeted these areas because this is where our companies are located, and many of our employees live in these parishes as well. We want people to know that we bring a lot to the table like great products, such as ammonia, as well as good jobs and good safety and environmental performance records," said Lou Frey, plant manager, CF Industries-Donaldsonville.

The school kits contained everything teachers need to give their classes an in-depth lesson on plant growth, measurement and scientific control. The kits included 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 kits also featured two radish characters, Rudy and Ruby.

"The kit is wonderful," said Michele Duhe, a teacher at Lutcher Elementary School in St. James Parish. "It correlates with the curriculum guide and workbook and can even be used with math and social studies."

The lesson plans were developed by Latrenda Knighten, a science specialist in East Baton Rouge Parish. LAP also sponsored training sessions in every parish, so the teachers could review the materials in the kit and have their questions answered. More than 160 teachers attended the training sessions. As part of the school kit campaign, LAP members also joined some second grade classes on the day that they planted their radishes.

"LAP member companies are very active participants in the communities where we are located. These school kits and our participation in the classroom activities are simply extensions of activities that we do everyday to try and improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work," said Jim Waites, IMC-Agrico's Faustina plant manager.

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 and contribute $35 million to the economy in local and state taxes every year.

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