Crop Production Services Honored With 2009 Regional
Environmental Respect Award on Capitol Hill

ALBERTSON, NC (July 14, 2009) – Crop Production Services of Albertson was honored with a regional Environmental Respect Award last week. Representatives from the company accepted the award at a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday, July 9. Winners were selected May 8 in Willoughby, Ohio.

The Environmental Respect Awards, sponsored by CropLife© magazine and DuPont Crop Protection, are the agricultural industry’s highest recognition for environmental stewardship among U.S. agricultural retailers, those who serve farmers and ranchers with the nutrients, pest control and agronomic information and services critical to effective crop production. Each year a panel of industry experts gathers to recognize achievement in environmental stewardship, professional excellence, and community involvement.

"I’m an avid hunter and fisherman with two young sons of my own and I want to ensure them and many more generations a clean, wholesome environment to enjoy," says Dexter Howard, branch manager.

Crop Production Services won a regional award based on excellence in site design, in-plant storage and handling procedures, proper application and leadership in safety and stewardship among customers and employees.

According to Howard, the company has worked hard to create and maintain a workplace that is safe for the employees, the community, and the environment. Several years ago, the business moved to a renovated elementary school building and services corn, soybeans, tobacco, peanut, and vegetable growers. Security is important to the company, evidenced by a lighted yard, keypad entry system and fencing. Employees of the Albertson branch finance and conduct fundraising events for members of the community in need as well.

"Future generations are dependent upon our current environmental stewardship efforts," said Jim Collins, vice president and general manager of DuPont Crop Protection. "These retail businesses take their responsibility very seriously and we’re proud to be affiliated with them."

"It’s through the conscientious efforts of these ag business and the crop producers they serve that this nation is assured of a safe and bountiful food supply," said Paul Schrimpf, group editor of CropLife© magazine. "We’re delighted to be able to gain them some recognition for their environmentalism."

Crop Production Services received its personalized Environmental Respect Award crystal sculpture and a public relations campaign. For more information on the Environmental Respect Awards, visit www.environmentalrespect.com.

The Environmental Respect Award is the premier award in agricultural stewardship among agricultural retailers and distributors around the world. Since its inception in 1990, more than 5,000 businesses in the U.S. have shared their stories of environmental respect, product safety standards, and customer and community outreach, and more than 300 have earned state awards. In the last four years, the international extension of the Environmental Respect Awards has seen involvement from more than 150 businesses in 18 countries. The effort is sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection and is managed and conducted by CropLife© magazine and Farm Chemicals International magazine.