CF Industries' minigrants bringing students closer to agriculture and the environment

(Photo by Kris Todd) CF Industries minigrants were recently awarded to, front row from left, Becky Dettmer, Dale Waggoner, Diane Maisenbach and Mary VerMulm. Back row, Mark Feldman, superintendent of CF Industries' Spencer terminal, Noreen Meyer, Patty Willrett, Rose Fear and Diane Salton. Not pictured: Kim Moser, Peg Schimmer, Brenda Griffin, Deb Kaus, Mary Frank, Steve Steele and Kurt Bauermeister.

Students in Spencer schools will develop an appreciation and awareness for natural resources through water testing, aquatic insect and bird identification, pond dredging and designing, and planting an outdoor classroom thanks to CF Industries' classroom minigrant program.

The company has again partnered with Spencer schools to offer more than $1,850 in minigrants to 15 teachers who plan to incorporate agriculture or the environment into their classroom activities. Those awarded CF Industries minigrants Monday afternoon include: Kim Moser, Peg Schimmer, Patty Willrett, Rose Fear, Noreen Meyer, Diane Salton, Brenda Griffin and Deb Kaus of Fairview Elementary; Becky Dettmer of Lincoln Elementary; Mary VerMulm of Sacred Heart; Mary Frank, Steve Steele, Diane Maisenbach and Dale Waggoner of Spencer Middle School; and Kurt Bauermeister of Spencer High School.

"For the past several years, CF Industries has worked with Spencer area educators to provide students new opportunities focused on agriculture and the environment," said Mark Feldman, superintendent of CF Industries' Spencer terminal. "The creativity shown by the teachers in the minigrant projects provides interesting educational opportunities for their students, year after year."

CF Industries has donated more than $450,000 over the last nine years to teachers in CF Industries-area terminal and facility communities. The company has donated more than $60,000 to public safety, education and youth development organizations in and around Spencer in recent years.