The Giving Program
We want to hear your thoughts on how to help the world thrive
How the Giving Program Works
Your Ideas
Tell us how Wilbur-Ellis can continue growing, innovating, giving and evolving
Support
For each response, Wilbur-Ellis will make a donation to the Red Cross
Giving More
Help grow our contribution by answering new questions every month
September's Question
Growing doesn’t just happen on the farm. At Wilbur-Ellis, our scientists, agronomists and others across the company use science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) every day, as we grow our business and serve customers in agriculture, animal nutrition, chemicals and energy.
What role do you see science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) playing – today or in the future – for Wilbur-Ellis or the broader world? And what would you tell kids about the importance of studying STEM in school as they prepare for the jobs of tomorrow?
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2020
Submit your response
Tip for answering
Businesses of all kinds – including Wilbur-Ellis – will be affected by advances in fields that rely on STEM, like robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, transportation (think self-driving vehicles), drone management, alternative energy, automation, telemedicine, healthcare, and genetics, to name a few.
One way to answer the September question is by discussing where you think we’ll see the greatest advances (or disruptions). We also welcome your thoughts on how a young person can prepare for jobs that may not even exist today!
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Remember to send us a photo or video to accompany your submission.
Instruction video
Visit the Giving Program Overview page to watch a video that walks you through the submission process.
September Submission Highlights
Melissa Weber, United States (Nutrition)
Wilbur-Ellis is rooted in agriculture products and services, and agriculture involves so many STEM areas: biology, genetics, engineering, math, physics, etc. With the continued pressure to preserve natural resources while still feeding the world (including pets), there is a higher need than ever for bright minds to develop technologies that drive efficiency and nurture food and human safety. Agricultural and food practices have evolved so much in the past 100 years, and continued evolution requires dedicated STEM experts to use knowledge and creativity to make the transformation needed for sustainability for the next 100 years.
It’s critically important to inspire the curiosity in kids to understand how things work. This is the 1st step in introducing kids to STEM careers. By having curiosity, kids begin to explore STEM subjects like engineering, chemistry and physics that can generate aspirations to pursue STEM careers. I spend time volunteering with 4-H STEM programs in my area to teach the science that goes into food production/cooking, and I make it a focus to do STEM activities with my daughter, such as the one experiment in the picture. Seeing their excitement for how things work, gives me hope that these talented kids will make an impact in the STEM careers when they grow up.
Rechelda Hirang, Philippines (Connell)
In Connell, we are building towards innovative growth and sustainability, in terms of the products, new concepts or solutions that we offer to customers. It is fundamental in our learning from STEM that we contribute and play a part in taking care of the environment. This is through our key initiatives in engaging with customers on what are their vision towards a sustainable future for their company – and Connell will be able to cooperate and collaborate by providing innovative and sustainable solutions and products that will help them fulfill this vision. Connell has the capability to use expertise in STEM in order to produce new concepts with sustainable differentiation in the market because not only it will help the customers in their business growth but we will also take part in helping to preserve our natural resources/environment.
This kind of initiative will put a name to Connell as a company with #care #livingsafe #sustainability #innovation not only to its employees and customers but also to the environment. The importance of STEM in school is that it teaches our kids about the fundamentals of how to use their education in the future to make a positive difference (even in small ways they know) to contribute to saving our world – may it be in the field of pharmaceuticals, medicine, agriculture, chemistry, etc.
Marju Hermogeno, Philippines (Connell)
STEM is an integral part of our future economic and social development. Change is happening all around us and the pace of that change in the workplace, the economy and our everyday lives is relentless. It is driven largely by developments in STEM and, in particular, technology. In areas such as low carbon and digital technology we need to be equipped to be at the forefront of innovation and create the right environment for further business investment. STEM education helps to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps sometimes found in math and science fields. Initiatives have been established to increase the roles of women and minorities in STEM-related fields. STEM education breaks the traditional gender roles. In order to compete in a global economy, STEM education and careers must be a national priority. Each and every decision made uses an aspect of STEM to understand the implications. Programs outside of school can help children to see that STEM is more than a class to finish. Having activities that show real-life implication of STEM can pull together the ideas presented in school and help to show how they benefit our society and even our world as a whole. Children can see that what they are learning now is pertinent to their future and the future of the whole world, creating an interest often lacking when learning new concepts that do not seem to carry real-world application. Engineering For Kids, for example, offers a suite of STEM enrichment programs for children ages 4 to 14.
Gavin Giere, United States (Corporate)
As a former NASA Dive Instructor training the astronauts for space walks, I was fortunate enough to speak with children, parents, & teachers about the importance of STEM and not only for becoming an astronaut 😉
Almost every job and/or hobby, revolves around STEM and therefore is critical for the continued growth and sustainability of our world. The sky’s not the limit; however, it takes continuous application of education & learning.
Joshua Grime, United States (Agribusiness)
STEM is a huge in my opinion. Today’s world is science and data hungry. I see the future being even more hungry for info and advancements. Wilbur-Ellis is a leader in technology and STEM plays a very big role in this. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power.
Helping the Red Cross in the U.S., Canada and Globally
United States: Through our 100th Anniversary Giving Program, Wilbur-Ellis is supporting the American Red Cross in the United States.
Globally: To assist those in Asia-Pacific, Giving Program donations will benefit the International Services division of the American Red Cross, which helps victims of countless crises around the world through immediate and long-term support, including supplies, technical assistance and other assistance.
Canada: Our Giving Program also will assist the Canadian Red Cross with the work they do throughout that country.