The Fertilizer
Institute (TFI) has announced the winners of the 2014 4R Advocate
Awards. The 4R Advocate Award program, now in its third year, recognizes
on-farm stewardship actions. Winners are
selected based on their actions to protect the environment, boost profitability
and benefit society through nutrient stewardship practices based on the 4Rs (using
the right nutrient source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the
right place). Winners were nominated by
their retail dealers who are also recognized with 4R awards. The 2014 winners are as follows:
- Clint Wortman of Jackson Wortman, LLC, in Quitman, Ga.; nominated by A.J.
Radford of Crop Production Services in Moultrie, Ga. - John Werries in Chapin, Ill.; nominated by Vern
Bader of Bader Agricultural Services, Inc. in Meredosia, Ill. - George Brand of Brand Dairy Farms in Waterloo, Ind.;
nominated by Terry Bechman of The Andersons, Inc. in Waterloo, Ind. - Dennis and Greg Iott of Iott Seed Farms, Inc. in
Kalkaska, Mich.; nominated by Dale Dosenberry of Wilbur-Ellis in Edmore, Mich. - Chris VonHolton of AgView FS in Walnut, Ill.;
nominated by Malcolm Stambaugh of AgView FS in Walnut, Ill.
“These
growers and their retailers are taking steps to establish sustainable cropping
systems,” said TFI President Chris Jahn. “Their efforts need to be recognized
by the agriculture community and by the broader public who consume what they
produce. They are shining examples of the environmental, economic and social
benefits of modern agriculture.”
Current and past 4R Advocates serve as
spokespersons providing outreach to peers and stakeholders on fertilizer best
management practices. The 4R Advocates speak from experience and bring on-farm
knowledge when engaging with others.
The
five winning growers, a spouse or companion and their winning retailers are awarded
an expense-paid trip to the Commodity Classic, scheduled for Feb. 26 – March 1
in San Antonio, Texas. The Commodity Classic is the once-a-year, can’t-miss event for America’s
soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum farmers. At the Classic, 4R Advocate winners
will see the latest agricultural innovations first-hand, meet other growers and
agricultural leaders from across the nation, and will be honored at an
invitation-only banquet.