The Giving Program

We want to hear your thoughts on how to help the world thrive

100 Years and Growing: 100 Years and Innovating | 100 Years and Giving | 100 Years and Evolving

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

June Question

Wilbur-Ellis employees and friends … do you have a message for employees 25 years from now?

To learn more, check out CEO John Buckley’s video.

Submission Deadline: June 29, 2021

Submit your response

Tips for answering

As we mark the final month of Wilbur-Ellis’ year-long 100^th anniversary celebration, you and the kids in your family are invited to leave a legacy for Wilbur-Ellis employees (and their kids) 25 years from now!

Similar to the wonderful “Day in the Life” books, we want to capture a MONTH in the life of Wilbur-Ellis. Please take photos, shoot videos, do artwork, or write messages capturing what life is like today, and submit them.

Your submissions will go into a “time capsule” that will be sealed until Wilbur-Ellis’ 125^th anniversary – 25 years from now – on June 29, 2046. Your submissions also will add to our contribution to the Red Cross – and kids who submit outstanding responses (through the submission form for kids) could receive a $200 USD award or a $50 USD honorable mention.

It should be fun to open the time capsule 25 years from now – to see what life was like way back in 2021!!!

What should you say in your response?

It would be great to feature the people and things that are important to you. That may be your family … your work … your friends and co-workers … the places or activities you enjoy.

Maybe you’d like to give a simple shout-out to the company on its 100^th anniversary.
Or maybe you have some thoughts or words of encouragement for the next generation of Wilbur-Ellis employees.

Whatever it is, this is our chance to leave a message for future Wilbur-Ellis generations … and make our final month of celebration truly special!!!

Message Board

Check out our special Message Board, where Wilbur-Ellis employees, kids and friends of the company saluted everyone in the food and agriculture industries, recognizing National Ag Day and Week in March.

June Submission Highlights

Debbie Brannan, United States (Corporate)

I have worked for Wilbur-Ellis for over 8 years now, and I love my IT family. It is such a joy to work for a company that cares about their employees and puts family first. This last year has shown me that it is important to do the things you love and be with those you love. The image I have chosen is a collage of those things; my loving husband and our 4 children, our 4 grandchildren that we have been blessed with (and #5 due later this year), and our 5th wheel that allows us flexibility and traveling options. This is what life is about. God has blessed us greatly and I am thankful every day for what we have been given.

Maricar Lopez, Philippines (Connell)

2021 continues to be a challenging year in all areas of life. For a mom who recently gave birth during a pandemic period, I cannot help but to get worried not only for myself but most especially for my family. But thinking of the discipline and commitment to safety that I have acquired from my company which I religiously practice and shared with my family and friends, this helps me to have a positive mindset that everything can be okay. The reason why I am so thankful is because me and my family were and are all safe.

And why do I have this vision that my son will be working with Connell after 25 years? Maybe because, for 9 months in my tummy and up to this day, he’s part of me working for a great company.

John Buckley, United States (Corporate)

For over 15 months, my office has been my home. Working remotely was one step Wilbur-Ellis took to lower the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. By reducing the number of people in the workplace, this helped protect both remote employees and those who continued to work at our locations.

Today, as we prepare to celebrate Wilbur-Ellis’ 100th anniversary on June 29th, I took a new photo that shows me in a different office – my real office at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

It’s great to be back! But I also know that the pandemic is continuing for many around the world. So, as we celebrate a milestone for the company – and the progress we’ve made in fighting the pandemic – there’s still work to do, and I’m grateful for the strength and resilience of Wilbur-Ellis people around the world!

Bertha Crevolin, United States (Agribusiness)

2020-2021 brought forth many adversities that most had to face. In addition to the global pandemic and world shut down, many faced fear for their health and safety, mental health issues, and for our youth & students having education moved to a virtual classroom setting. Our youngest daughter Tori was to have walked for her college graduation from California State University of Fresno in May of 2020, but with Covid-19 that was not possible. Despite not having that opportunity and a key staple in life set-back, she moved forward in a positive light with the knowledge of successfully obtaining her degree. Well, I am happy to say that our daughter did eventually have her moment in May of 2021, with a combined graduation of the class of 2020 & 2021. Although a much different setting and many restrictions, she none the less walked proudly in her ceremony and all celebrated in her great achievement. We look forward to seeing her shine in her new career as an elementary school teacher. I would like to say that I commend and am proud of all students who faced the adversities that the pandemic laid in front of them, with faith & hope leading their way.

Win Ching Chong, Malaysia (Connell)

Life is short, we never know what will happen to us tomorrow, so we live in the present moment. A lady which who is a cancer patient said, “We can’t wait for all things to be ok to feel happy.” This is so true. Cheers!!

Kyrie Esarey, United States (Agribusiness)

Every storm brings beauty.

Gina Colfer, United States (Agribusiness)

I spend my free time at the beach on the Central Coast of CA enjoying the sand, the water and wildlife with my husband. We are dedicated to the preservation of our amazing ocean and work every day with water on our minds. I appreciate the focus that Wilbur-Ellis has on Organics and Sustainability and the push forward for alternative answers to reduce pollutants in our environment. We need to preserve our resources now for our next generations to thrive.

Jim Glatzhofer, United States (Agribusiness)

Despite many challenges and raw material issues caused by the pandemic, the Branded Products Formulation Team in the Fresno, CA, Product Development Laboratory continued to produce significant new products and a record number of samples for R&D testing in 2021. This work will result in pipeline contributions to Wilbur-Ellis Branded Products well into the future. The effort this year will also provide a foundation of technologies for use in long term growth of Wilbur-Ellis’ products and for our customers to continue to produce food and crops more efficiently and effectively.

Kyrie Esarey, United States (Agribusiness)

Stop and watch the sunset because no matter the chaos it will always be a beautiful sight.

Heather Messer, United States (Agribusiness)

We are celebrating our own milestones in the Messer family this month, with the high school graduation of our youngest son, Colton. As with almost every event this year, outdoor accommodations were made to comply with Covid guidelines – but we were happy that we could celebrate and honor our graduates – which was not guaranteed this year. Having your most important people around you, as you gather to celebrate milestones of any kind (family, school, work, sports) is one of my favorite highlights of any year!

Julie Magnuson, United States (Nutrition)

A day in the life of our family! This picture was taken by my son, Zack, while we (husband, Dave, daughter, Haley and Buddy our Lhasa Apso) took a day trip to the Oregon Coast (Arch Cape pictured here with Castle Rock in the background). Wilbur-Ellis has provided many opportunities over the years which our family has grown to appreciate. From the wonderful people who I’ve worked alongside to the vendors and customers I have come to call friends; all have made a tremendous impact on our lives. The appreciation the company shows to us as employees as well as the benefits, flexibility and opportunities to grow as individuals is unlike any other company I have worked for previously. While work is not the only focus in my life, the career path I have experienced here has been the vehicle to help my family and I live a great life. Thank you, Wilbur-Ellis! Cheers to another 100 years!

Gary Dempsay, United States (Nutrition)

As we have gone through the last year of dealing with the Covid-19 virus, we need to remember that we need to stop and smell the roses. Spend time with family and friends and remember the beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis.

Eric Klindt, United States (Agribusiness)

I usually take everything to the next level (little overboard) because it’s 100 years of Agricultural Aviation. August 3, 1921 was the first application over trees. And being Wilbur-Ellis’ 100th anniversary gave me the drive to finish “Dusty” the airplane. I did the fuel truck about 5 years ago for when the movie, Planes, came out.

At the first parade, it was so fun to watch kids reaction a block away jumping up and down when they saw the plane coming down the street. I want everyone to remember Wilbur-Ellis when ever they see an airplane! And more importantly “that’s Eric!”

Andrew Loder, United States (Nutrition)

My son is Sebastian and he is 17 years old. His club soccer team is called Keliix-Intra Premier, based in Minneapolis. Sebastian and his team are in the distant background of the photo under the tent. It was 95 degrees that night. This is my wife, Marci, and me at a game.

May Archive

Helping the Red Cross in the U.S., Canada and Globally

United States: Through our 100^th 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.