Calgary students gain new perspectives on feeding the planet
Calgary – Forty-five-hundred Calgary Jr. High School students are looking at agriculture sustainability in a new way thanks to the educational program Journey 2050™. Set to complete its first year, Journey 2050™is an educational program that challenges students to apply sustainability concepts in an interactive and innovative way to feed people by the year 2050 when the world’s population is nine billion people.
“Food production needs are expected to rise by 60 per cent in the next 35 years, and changing economic, social and environmental conditions will put even more pressure on agricultural yields,” says Chuck Magro, President and CEO of Agrium. “It is imperative that our youth of today understand how our present-day decisions impact our future lives, and so it is vital that we showcase the importance of agriculture.”
The Journey 2050™program is based on interactive learning. Students who complete the program have the opportunity to gain insights from three real-life families. These families, from Kenya, India and Alberta were interviewed in depth for the Journey 2050™program providing students with a global perspective.
The program was developed as a sustainable agriculture education program by Agrium Inc. in collaboration with the Calgary Stampede and funding by the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. It is offered to schools in many ways, including a fieldtrip at the Agrium Western Event Centre on Stampede Park, an online experience for anyone in the world to participate, and you can download the Sustainability Farm Game in the itunes App Store for free.
“We salute Agrium’s vison in creating an educational program focused on agricultural sustainability,” says Warren Connell, CEO, Calgary Stampede. “We’re very proud to be the home to a global program that will reach millions around the world through its online version and app.”
Agriculture is one of the most critical areas to global sustainability. There are thousands of opportunities, a constant stream of new innovations and a network of people who will help us feed the world sustainably. Engaging and empowering the next generation in the discussion is more important than ever.
For more information about Journey 2050™, please visit www.journey2050.com.
About Agrium Inc.
Agrium Inc. is a major producer and distributor of agricultural products and services in North America, South America, Australia and Egypt through its agricultural retail-distribution and wholesale nutrient businesses. Agrium supplies growers with key products and services such as crop nutrients, crop protection, seed, agronomic and application services, thereby helping to meet the ever growing global demand for food and fibre. Agrium produces nitrogen, potash and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of over nine million tonnes and with competitive advantages across all product lines. Agrium retail-distribution has an unmatched network of close to 1,500 facilities and over 3,000 crop consultants. We partner with over half a million grower customers globally to help them increase their yields and returns on more than 50 different crops. With a focus on sustainability, the company strives to improve the communities in which it operates through safety, education, environmental improvement and new technologies such as the development of precision agriculture and controlled release nutrient products. Agrium is focused on driving operational excellence across our businesses, pursuing value-enhancing growth opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. For more information visit: www.agrium.com.
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
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