Rewarding Students for Innovative Stewardship Ideas

CAMROSE, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Feb. 19, 2013) - Students interested in the air they breathe, the water they drink and the land they live on will be keen on entering the 2013 Caring for our Watersheds(TM) contest.

Geared for grade 7 to 12 students, individuals interested in the environment can submit their ideas to the Caring for our Watersheds program for a chance to win $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their school. Over $15,000 in cash awards are up for grabs plus an additional $10,000 in funding is also available to help implement the contest ideas.

Making stewardship fun was easy for Kaitlin, Katie, Vickie and Melissa who became involved in the Caring for our Watersheds contest as a classroom project at St. Augustine School in Ponoka. Their idea was to create a fun and educational books series for students in grades 2-4 about how their actions impact the watershed and what they can do to help. The book has been published and distributed to all of the Parkland Regional Libraries, as well as through school visits by the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA).

Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) and the BRWA are proud to bring this international competition to Alberta. "Through the years students have provided viable answers to the question - What can you do to improve your watershed?" explains Lindsey Metheral, Agrium Program Advisor. "It is apparent how much future generations care about watersheds, their world and their place in it."

"The creativity this contest affords students is beneficial for our environment and the communities we serve," says Nathalie Stanley, BRWA. "Anytime we can engage and involve our younger generation in environmental conversation benefits us all. They are actively seeking ways to make our communities sustainable for future generations and we are here to help them."

The proposal entry deadline for students living in Alberta, north of Calgary is March 27, 2013. The top 10 finalists will be judged at the Final Competition by the community on May 11, 2013.

For more information please visit www.CaringForOurWatersheds.com or to schedule a media interview, please contact Nathalie Stanley at 780-672-0276.

About Agrium:

Agrium Inc. is a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in Australia and North and South America and a leading global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products. Agrium produces and markets three primary groups of nutrients: nitrogen, phosphate and potash as well as controlled release fertilizers and micronutrients. Agrium's strategy is to grow through incremental expansion of its existing operations and acquisitions as well as the development, commercialization and marketing of new products and international opportunities. Contact us at: www.agrium.com.

About Battle River Watershed Alliance:

The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) is an inclusive, collaborative and consensus-based community partnership that is working to guide, support and deliver actions to sustain or improve the health of the Battle River watershed. We seek to achieve this through knowledgeable community participation, education and an adaptive approach. Contact us at: www.battleriverwatershed.ca

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Media Contacts:
Agrium Inc.
Lindsey Metheral
Program Advisor
403-225-7782
lindsey.metheral@agrium.com


Battle River Watershed Alliance
Nathalie Stanley
780-672-0276
nathalie@battleriverwatershed.ca