As a company and as individuals, we all strive to make positive impacts through our work and our personal lives and leave it better than we found it. We are extraordinarily challenged at this very moment to reflect upon the core values, our purpose, and ability to make positive change. At Verdesian Life Sciences, we passionately believe in enabling our farmer customers with products and knowledge to leave their land and their communities better than they found them. We do this through nutrient use efficiency products that help sustainably feed the world. But our values and purpose transcend the products and are embodied by how we, as individuals, choose to work collectively with each other and our customers. As a company, we insist on a safe, inclusive and diverse culture where our employees feel respected and are encouraged to reach their fullest potential.

As we look over the events of not just the last few weeks but over the last 200 years in the United States, we cannot ignore the fact that we have fallen short of the words penned by our forefathers: “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We all desire these words to be true; this would be better than we found it. Verdesian is committed to being a part of a solution and help deliver on a goal that has yet to be fulfilled – it is inside each of us.

Inequality is systemic and solutions are not simple. I would not be an honest man if I said I know what the solution is – but we can start with what we can control like the Verdesian culture. We commit to equality inside our operations and in how we conduct business outside. We have this commitment today, but it is important to reaffirm our values, purpose and how to start at this moment.

We are steadfast in our desire to offer a place where employees are nurtured, respected and valued. We also welcome, in turn, being shaped and molded by those with whom we work, no matter their color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. We must take this one step at a time.

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is 2 Timothy 4:7 that says, in part, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” We have a long way to go to finish the race, but I have faith in our Verdesian family that we will get there. But it is the first part of that verse that is most important at this time: “I have fought the good fight.” Please join me in fighting the good fight, for fighting for what is right. That way we can truly leave the world better than we found it.

#leaveitbetter


Kenny Avery
CEO Verdesian

Media Relations

Matt Lail, APR
Director, Marketing Communications & Public Relations

919.819.3979matt.lail@vlsci.com