ABOUT
GREENFIELD LOUISIANA LLC.
Greenfield started with a mission: to build a state-of-the-art Grain Export Terminal to drive environmental justice and transformative economic development in our communities. Greenfield’s technologically advanced and environmentally-sound grain facility will mitigate our global food crisis and dramatically expand access to national and international markets for local and regional farmers. Central to our mission is our commitment to combating the legacy of environmental injustice that has historically damaged the health and well-being of Black communities along the Mississippi.
Greenfield seems different because it is different. Greenfield is working to transform agriculture for local and regional farmers and the environment. To advance its mission, Greenfield is working in partnership with the community to revive the West Bank’s economy by creating good-paying, safe green jobs. In its operations, Greenfield meets the highest environmental standards and protects public health as well as honors the local culture and community heritage.
Greenfield started its work by listening. More than a year ago, Greenfield spoke with hundreds of residents, community leaders, and local businesses about responsibly revitalizing the West Bank so that the next generation of residents can remain and prosper in St. John the Baptist Parish. Those conversations yielded important feedback: above all else, West Bank residents demand opportunity: opportunities to access better jobs and careers of the future, and to make a good living in the Parish –– residents do not want to leave their community to thrive in their lives. West Bank residents are calling for more investment in its local schools so that West St. John can prepare its graduates for local, high-paying careers. Greenfield is a committed partner of West St. John and will work hand-in-glove with the local education and workforce systems to connect more residents to transformative job and career opportunities.
Reviving the West Bank’s Economy & Creating Good-Paying, Safe Green Jobs
Greenfield will spark an economic revival on the West Bank, creating 1,000 new jobs at the site and at local businesses during construction, and 370 permanent jobs in the area once the facility opens.
The 100 permanent green jobs at Greenfield’s all-new facility will pay an average salary of $75,000 with benefits.
- Greenfield will help local residents apply for jobs at upcoming job fairs, as well as provide in-house training and certification programs with River Parishes Community College to help local residents learn the skills they need.
- The facility’s economic impact will extend far beyond its own workforce, helping local businesses like restaurants and stores grow and hire more workers.
- The grain terminal’s jobs will be on-site, not remote. Greenfield will be the only American Grain Export Company that has its headquarters in the Greater New Orleans area.
Meeting the Highest Environmental Standards & Protecting Public Health
In communities like Wallace, jobs and economic growth have too often come at the expense of public health. This community can have environmental justice and economic opportunity.
- The all-new grain terminal will help the region transition away from the petrochemical industry and a historic legacy of environmental and health harms.
- Designed with the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including dust aspiration and enclosed conveyor belts to capture dust, Greenfield will be the most advanced and cleanest grain elevator in North America.
- Greenfield is engineered to meet and outperform all current and anticipated EPA standards. The facility will reduce both harmful airborne emissions and water-borne pollutants in the community, and was sited to avoid significant impact on local wildlife and waterways.
Honoring Culture & Community Heritage
Greenfield will help the West Bank transition to a cleaner, more sustainable local economy that builds prosperity while also honoring and protecting the natural, cultural and historic resources of the region.
- Greenfield will protect local historical sites by sitting its facility a half-mile from the Whitney Plantation. The Greenfield buildings will be surrounded by a 450-foot buffer of trees and greenery, keeping them out of view of visitors, tourists, and passersby.
- We will act quickly if any historic artifacts or remains are identified at our site during construction. All work in that area will cease immediately and Greenfield will notify government agencies to responsibly handle any such cultural resources.
- Greenfield is dedicating a portion of its site to the study and preservation of the West Bank’s cultural heritage.
Transforming Agriculture for Local Farmers & the Environment
There hasn’t been a new grain export facility built in this region in decades, and that’s prevented local and regional farmers from selling their products to the world.
- Greenfield will modernize the region’s agriculture, helping local and regional farmers lower costs.
- This will be the only facility in the region capable of handling organic corn and grains, a major business for local and regional farmers that have been cut off from world markets.
- With the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis worsening, many parts of the world are facing famine. This is putting enormous pressure to cut down rain forests for farming in places like Brazil. Exporting more US grain will help protect the rain forests and help alleviate world hunger.
Partnering with Our Community
We know that the strength of our business is linked to the strength, health and well-being of our wider West Bank community. We’re here to be a partner in saving cherished institutions like West St. John High School.
- Greenfield’s partnership with West St. John High School will provide $1 million for WSJ to develop new curriculum, upgrade facilities and adopt the latest technology—all part of helping the school rebuild enrollment and grow again.
- Greenfield is providing annual scholarships to WSJ students with full tuition and a monthly stipend to attend River Parishes Community College with a guarantee of employment at Greenfield after graduation
MEET THE TEAM
Tanisha Marshall
Project Manager
Tanisha is a Certified Project Manager Professional with over 20 years of experience delivering top results in continuous process improvement, project management, project controls, quality control, start-up, and commissioning with in-depth experience in managing and directing project teams in corporate, industrial plant, and construction environments.
She received her Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University and has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University and A&M College. Tanisha is also currently a LEED AP candidate.
Gary Watson
Community Engagement Consultant
An Edgard, LA native and a graduate of Grambling State University, Gary Watson has worked in industry in the river parishes for more than three decades. He has extensive experience in many areas, including ensuring compliance with safety and environmental protection regulations.
Gary is also an active member of the St. John Parish community. He is the former Vice President of the St. John Community Action Advisory Board and a member of the Lafourche Basin Levee District Board of Commissioners, the West Bank Stake Holders, the Youth Planning Board, the St. John Council of Aging, and the West St. John High School Booster Club. Gary has been serving and advocating for low-income and disadvantaged populations for more than 40 years.
GREENFIELD IN ACTION
Greenfield Exports, LLC (“Greenfield” or the “Company”) awarded it's inaugural scholarship to rising West St. John High School graduating senior, Tyrin Anderson, as the company commits to supporting the local community on the West Bank of St. John the Baptist Parish. The Greenfield Annual Scholarship will pay Tyrin’s full tuition to the River Parishes Community College and provide an expenses stipend over the 2-year program. After Tyrin graduates from college, there will be an opportunity for him to work at the state-of-the-art agricultural facility Greenfield is constructing in Wallace, Louisiana.
This is the inaugural scholarship and Greenfield is committed to educating and training the residents on the West Bank of St. John the Baptist Parish. The scholarships are specific to persons pursing careers in business administration, electrical helper, industrial instrumentation, process technology, welding, and other disciplines that the company will be hiring in the future. This is the launch of an annual recurring scholarship to a West St. John High School graduating senior.
Greenfield Chief Operating Officer Cal Williams said, “This scholarship program is just the beginning of our Company’s commitment to train and hire local people to construct and operate our facility. Our goal is to create economic opportunities for the local residents but also build a long-standing relationship with the community based on trust and safety. We look forward to working with Tyrin at the Company and facility once he graduates.”
Greenfield President, Adam Johnson said, “We want to be strong, long-standing corporate partners with the St. John the Baptist community. We will look for opportunities to enhance the economy and operate one of the safest storage facilities in the country. We know people have concerns, but we want to gain the trust and support by maintaining an open and transparent relationship as we build a new economic engine for this community. We know if we think long term, the Company and community will succeed over the long-term.”
In addition to the scholarship and training efforts, Greenfield has set Disadvantaged Business Enterprise hiring goals in the construction of the facility. The Company has also committed to creating an advisory group and hold regular meetings to update the public on the construction and safe operation of the facility.