Ag Plus Completes Year One 4R Certification at Five Indiana LocationsINDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Agribusiness Council of Indiana today announced one of its members has achieved a significant milestone through certification in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program. This program looks at the commitment of each business to achieving a rigorous set of standards for nutrient management practices, which benefit the environment and their customers’ crop production and business goals. Ag Plus, Inc. has completed the program to become Year 1 certified at the following Indiana locations:
“The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program leans on scientific and proven practices that benefit the farmer and our society,” said ACI President & CEO Bruce Kettler. “Like all Agribusiness Council of Indiana members, Ag Plus is an integral part of helping their farmer customers set and obtain crop production goals that are economically viable and sustainable. These businesses bring value to their communities by sharing the latest environmental stewardship practices such as 4R with their customers.” The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program is a voluntary program for ACI members that encourages agricultural retailers and independent crop consultants to adopt proven best practices through the 4Rs, which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place. This approach provides a science-based framework for plant nutrition management and sustained crop production, while considering specific individual farms' needs. It is a proactive, responsible commitment aimed at the long-term improvement of water quality. “It is important to everyone at Ag Plus that we help our farmers to be better stewards of nutrients,” said Jeff Mize, Ag Plus CEO. “Nobody wants to waste time or money applying nutrients they don’t need. Adhering to the 4Rs is a responsible, science-based way to use nutrients, and it is a very important way for the agriculture industry to demonstrate what we always say - that we apply nutrients with consideration for the environment.” The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program occurs on a 3-year certification cycle where a retail location is audited on a set of standards developed by the Nutrient Stewardship Council. This set of standards outlines best practices to be implemented. Each requirement is evaluated each audit period by a private, third-party auditor via an in-person audit to earn or maintain certification. “The 4R Certification program was identified in 2011 as a key strategy by members of Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance, a membership that includes ACI, IN- NRCS, commodity organizations, Indiana Farm Bureau, Purdue University, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), to encourage and highlight proactive efforts agribusiness partners utilize to optimize nutrient inputs,” said Mike Dunn, director of freshwater conservation programs for TNC and chair of the Indiana Nutrient Stewardship Council. “I am excited to see the program’s continued success and growth - with the addition of Ag Plus’s five certified locations, Indiana now has more than 700,000 4R Certified acres.” |
