2015 Environmental Respect Award, Ambassador of Respect, North America Region Announced
Willoughby, Ohio, USA (PRWEB) August 06, 2015 -- Gar Tootelian, Inc., of Reedley, California (USA), is one of four agricultural companies named an “Ambassador of Respect” for the 2015 Environmental Respect Awards. The company was selected in April during an event involving global environmental and agricultural experts from around the world. Ambassadors were also named for Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Gar Tootelian received their award during a special ceremony at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, DE, (USA) last week.
The Environmental Respect Awards, sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection, CropLife® magazine and FCI® magazine, honor outstanding environmental stewardship among those who supply farmers with inputs crucial to safe and effective crop production around the world. These winners exemplify environmental care in areas of security, risk management, product handling and use, worker safety, and education and outreach to their communities.
2015 marks the program’s 25th year honoring stewardship, sustainability, safety and community outreach efforts of the world’s leading agricultural retailers and distributors.
The company, based in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, is a pillar of the area’s community, actively supporting community education and hunger projects. Owners Karen Musson and Linda Salwasser, daughters of founders Gar and Esther Tootelian, believe strongly in giving back to the community. Said Greg Musson, president, “We see ourselves as a catalyst to help educate consumers about our grower customers’ environmental practices and more importantly, to help fight hunger.”
“When I think about our company, my parents, the founders, come to mind,” said Karen Musson, co-owner of Gar Tootelian. “Without my dad, Gar, and his dream, none of this would have been possible. Now, winning this award, I know the dream is much bigger than he ever envisioned.”
In the midst of an historic drought in the region, Gar Tootelian is working directly with growers to make their irrigation systems more efficient. “These efficiencies not only preserve water but reduce groundwater pumping, energy consumption and lost crop nutrition and protection soil amendments," said Musson.
The company is doing its part to prevent accidental environmental harm. For example, a new one-acre, $3.5 million tank farm was built on 1-foot-thick cement with two mats of rebar to survive an earthquake and contain a spill 10 times larger than the contents of the largest tank.
“DuPont is pleased to congratulate the winners of the 2015 Environmental Respect Awards and applauds their accomplishment in environmental stewardship,” said Rik Miller, president, DuPont Crop Protection. “These leaders are helping to advance environmental safety as well as the safe use of agricultural products, and we hope they will inspire others who share our passion and commitment to elevate environmental stewardship around the world.”
For 15 years, Paul Schrimpf, Group Editor of CropLife and FCI magazines has participated in the program’s judging process and development.
“It’s through the conscientious efforts of these ag businesses and the crop producers they serve that the world is assured of a safe and bountiful food supply,” said Schrimpf. “We’re delighted to be able to gain them some recognition for their environmentalism.”
Find more information on the Environmental Respect Awards at http://www.EnvironmentalRespect.com.
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For 25 years, the Environmental Respect Awards have been the foremost distinction in stewardship among agricultural retailers and distributors around the world. Since its inception in 1991, more than 6,000 businesses in the U.S. and Canada have shared their stories of environmental stewardship, sustainability, product safety standards, and customer and community outreach. More than 600 have earned state/provincial awards. Over the last 10 years, the international extension of the Environmental Respect Awards has seen participation from more than 550 businesses in 30 countries. ERA 2015 marks the inauguration of a fully integrated and global selection and recognition process. The program is sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection and is managed and conducted by CropLife magazine and FCI magazine, Meister Media Worldwide publications.
Michael DeLuca, Meister Media Worldwide, +1 440-602-9193, [email protected]
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