Community Involvement/Philanthropy
We focus on helping people improve their lives through education, mentoring, job skills development and support of the communities where we live and operate. One community, one partnership, one person at a time.
Education
We support an environment where students are able to discover, develop and apply their unique abilities, establishing a foundation for a life of contribution and fulfillment. We support a variety of programs from STEM and agricultural education to skilled trades and vocational technology schools.
For nearly a decade, Koch Fertilizer has supported local education programs focused on manufacturing, operations, maintenance and skilled trades careers. We provide scholarships and donate personal protective equipment (PPE) for classes, while our employees share their work experience with students and highlight career opportunities.
Since 2010, Koch Fertilizer Canada has sponsored scholarships for students attending Assiniboine Community College. In 2021, the team provided four scholarships for incoming students.
Our Koch Fertilizer Enid facility supports several agricultural education initiatives. Since 2019, they have sponsored Oklahoma FFA career development events for the northwest district including public speaking, parliamentary procedure and the quiz bowl. Koch Fertilizer Enid also sponsors the Oklahoma Youth Expo, including the ag mechanics and engineering contest. Employees served on the judging panel and evaluated more than 80 student-built projects.
For more than 10 years, Koch Fertilizer Dodge City has partnered with Empowered, formerly Youth Entrepreneurs, in Dodge City High School. Empowered is a classroom-curriculum program teaching students about business and entrepreneurship to help them professionally develop for their futures outside of high school. Additionally, our employees volunteer their time to share their experiences in manufacturing with Dodge City High School students.
Koch Fertilizer Fort Dodge has sponsored the Iowa Central Community College STEAMFest for several years. Employees teach students about careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through hands-on activities.
First Responders
We value a strong partnership with our local emergency responders who protect our communities every day. Along with critical emergency services, they provide essential training for our employees and others in the community. It’s a privilege to provide financial support for new equipment — fire hose, rescue harnesses, first aid and CPR supplies, and more — and on-going training that will help benefit our communities.
Additionally, our teams conduct joint training and live drills with local emergency response services.
Local Initiatives
Koch Fertilizer and our employees invest in programs to support the social and economic well-being of our communities, such as Habitat for Humanity, local food and clothing assistance organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and many more.
For the past five years, the Koch Fertilizer Canada team has sponsored Brandon’s Food for Thought, a breakfast and snack program that helps ensure all school aged students have an opportunity to eat a nutritional healthy breakfast before starting school every day.
Our Enid team has been a long supporter of Loaves and Fishes of northwest Oklahoma. They host multiple donations drives throughout the year as well as volunteer in the garden and warehouse.
Our Beatrice team hosts donation drives to support the Beatrice Community Food Pantry and A Warmer Day. They collect pantry and canned foods, coats, hats, gloves and monetary donations.
Recently, our Koch Fertilizer logistics team began an annual Make a Difference event. The team donated and collected items for blessing bags — filled with toiletries, socks and snacks — and distributed to those in need in Wichita, Kansas and Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. In addition, they distributed coats, blankets and shoes.
Through the years, our teams have participated in Habitat for Humanity projects. We’ve helped build houses in the Enid, Oklahoma and Wichita, Kansas communities.
Our Dodge City team has been a long-time sponsor of Dodge City Days and the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, which promote the area’s western heritage.
Many of our Wichita employees donate time, supplies and funds during Koch’s Season of Giving, which supports Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program and Giving the Basics’ hygiene products drive. Additionally, several employees are mentors through Kansas Big Brothers and Big Sisters and help raise donations for the organization each year. Employees also volunteer their time to support Hour of Code, which helps introduce students to computer science.