BASF held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Center for Sustainable Agriculture recently. This Center will provide visitors with information and hands-on experiences on a variety of topics, ranging from how technology and innovation are driving agriculture's productivity to how healthy homes and communities are similar to a farmer's field.
Farmers, agriculture industry stakeholders, elected officials, community partners, members of the media, and BASF executives were among those who attended the ceremony, which included information and tours. Guests were able to interact with the Center's interactive exhibits and tour the newly renovated gardens, which feature over 100 different plant, tree, and shrub species.
Farmers, consumers, and anyone with questions about agriculture can come to the BASF Center for Sustainable Agriculture for information, and conversation, and to expand their knowledge on topics that are driving sustainable agriculture forward.
"Farming is the largest and most complex job on the planet," said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America.
"Farmers are working to reduce their environmental impact in order to leave a better world for future generations." The Center highlights technologies and solutions that strike the right balance – for farmers, agriculture, and future generations – while advancing productivity and resiliency in an ever-changing world."
Our agricultural food system will continue to undergo rapid transformations in the coming decades in order to provide enough healthy, affordable food for a growing population. At the same time, the industry will have to reduce its environmental impact in order for future generations to thrive.
Professional and specialty solutions markets, such as turf and ornamentals, urban and rural pest control, and professional vegetation management, are also changing. The Center also emphasizes the significance of sustainability in these key areas.
BASF's initiatives in the areas of Sustainability & Biodiversity, Food, Fuel & Fiber, Agricultural Technology, and Pest Control are highlighted in the Center's interactive exhibits. The Center also has a garden with a variety of plant varieties that benefit from the application and use of BASF’s sustainable agriculture products.
"At the new Center, there's something for everyone to learn and share, from those who make a living in agriculture to those who've never stepped foot on a farm," said Chip Shilling, Issues Management and Sustainability Manager, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. "This is a place where everyone from 8 to 88 can find something to enjoy."
Rea went on to say that the Center's main goal is to help others, particularly those in agriculture who don't get their voices heard enough- our farmers.
"The world is putting more pressure on our farmers, and they aren't getting as much help as they need to meet the demands and challenges they face every day," Rea said. "The Center for Sustainable Agriculture demonstrates that we're on the cutting edge of providing much-needed assistance to farmers. It will also assist us in amplifying their voices both within and outside our agricultural food system."
