WASHINGTON — The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 4R Advocate program to recognize farmers and retailers who are doing excellent work implementing the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship on the farm.
Nominations are due by October 31, 2017. Applying is easy; submit your details and supporting materials about your 4R efforts online. Program details and online application form are available at nutrientstewardship.org/advoca
“As an industry, we talk a lot about the need to use 4Rs and how it can benefit farmers, but it’s hard to tell that story without real-world examples,” said Lara Moody, TFI’s Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability. “Our team of 4R Advocates help us demonstrate what using the 4Rs in the field looks like and shows other farmers tangible benefits that can result.”
Now in its seventh year, the 4R Advocate Program has recognized 60 agricultural producers and retailers, farming 144,425 acres in 17 states. These forward-thinking individuals serve as examples by championing sound nutrient stewardship.
The 2018 4R Advocate winners will be announced in mid- December. Winners must be able to participate in an all-expense paid trip to the 2018 Commodity Classic which takes place Feb. 27 through March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. The 2018 4R Advocate growers and nominating retailers will be recognized during a TFI awards banquet during Commodity Classic.
Raising awareness and adoption of 4R nutrient stewardship is a top priority for the fertilizer industry. The industry is working to educate fertilizer manufacturers and retailers, growers, and agricultural stakeholders about the 4Rs at agricultural trade shows, through company visits and other 4R speaking engagements. While the 4R messages from the fertilizer industry are being well received, we recognize that engaging agricultural producers and sharing 4R success stories from the field level will play a critical role in adoption of 4R nutrient stewardship practices.
–The Fertilizer Institute
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