Respect for nature earns firm top honor

SIKESTON - The Environmental Respect Award for Missouri 2002 was awarded to UAP Midsouth.

Sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection and CropLife magazine, the awards 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 critical to effective crop production.

"We are extremely honored to receive a state Environmental Respect Award," said Ricky Ray, location manager for UAP Midsouth. "Everyone knows what kind of investment it takes to build these facilities and it's rewarding to be singled out and know that your hard work has been worth something."

"These businesses are committed and vital parts of the safety and health of our communities," added Jim Borel, president of DuPont Crop Protection. "Environmental Respect Award winners stand in the finest tradition of agriculture's commitment to stewardship. The competition is intense and the winners are deserving of recognition."

UAP Midsouth won the state award based on criteria that include excellence in site design, in-plant storage and handling procedures, proper application, leadership environmentalism and safety and stewardship among customers and employees. A panel of industry experts chose the winners from a nationwide pool of entrants.

For Ray and his staff, environmental stewardship is a commitment that should be focused on every day.

"Our jobs are to provide our growers with the best information on seed varieties, chemicals and fertilizers, so we have to respect the resources we have been provided with," Ray said. "Without these resources, we have no job and our company has no future."

UAP Midsouth will receive a personalized crystal trophy at a local celebration planned for this fall.