FREEPORT, TX, July 16, 2010 – More than 25 local officials, farmers, ranchers and members of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, visited BASF for a first-hand look at how the chemical company and the agricultural community work together to bring robust crops and products to market.

“BASF’s agricultural products are highly effective tools that growers and ranchers rely upon to provide fertilizer to help their crops grow,” said Fred Moore, Senior Technical Service Representative for BASF. “We are pleased to be able to exhibit our agricultural products and help members of our community understand how these products impact everyday life.”

Moore was joined by his colleague, Randy Hulvey, Logistics Manager for BASF and Larry Unruh, of American Plant Food (APF), to further build awareness of the significance of the agricultural business to Brazoria County and its link to the products made at the Freeport site.

“BASF and APF are partners in chemistry - producing the best possible fertilizer to fit our consumer’s needs,” said Unruh. “Together, we make chemistry work - for the local farmer and rancher or anyone who plants a backyard garden.”

Art Colwell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s Freeport site viewed the visit as an opportunity for the community to get better acquainted with BASF and the chemical industry. “This event is a great way to invite members of our community into our facility to take a close look at how we create chemistry.”

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service of Brazoria County works with the community to improve quality of life by providing research-based information. The AgriLife Extension Service relies on its 5,000 trained volunteers to provide programs and information in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, marine and natural resources, 4-H and youth development.

Colwell explained, “By showcasing our agriculture products to groups such as the AgriLife Extension Service and other community leaders we can illustrate how we all benefit from chemistry.”

For a press photo, please click here: http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/07-16-10_AgForumFreeport.jpg

Suggested photo caption:

Local officials, farmers, ranchers and members of the AgriLife Extension office stand outside the BASF plant in Freeport with representatives from BASF and American Plant Food.

BASF - The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.