Five FS crop specialists awarded in helping growers build sustainable farming practices

The GROWMARK System is pleased to recognize the 2020 Endure Advocate award winners. The Endure Advocate award is given to FS Crop Specialists who engage in 4R Nutrient Management and Sustainable Farming Practices with their grower customers.

This year, five Crop Specialists were recognized as Endure Advocate award winners:

• Joe Terando, Conserv FS - Woodstock, IL
• Junior Whitlow, M&M Service Company - Carlinville, IL
• Kyle Vogelzang, Evergreen FS - Bloomington, IL
• Tim Bennett, AgView FS - Princeton, IL
• Tyler Osborne, AgView FS - Princeton, IL

"The program recognizes Crop Specialists within our system that help engage growers in sustainable best management practices on their farming operations," says Lance Ruppert, GROWMARK Agronomy Executive Director of Marketing and Technology. "These best management practices include helping growers implement the 4R nutrient stewardship principles, assist growers with nitrogen management, promote nitrogen stabilizers, implement nitrogen tracking, the use of MiFieldTM Applied Research, and the use of variable rate technology for fertilizer applications."

The 4R philosophy takes a science-based approach that offers enhanced environmental protection, increased production, increased farmer profitability, and improved sustainability. The concept is to use the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, with the right placement.

"I try and challenge my growers to try ideas that may be new to them but making sure it is tracked throughout the season so they can see for themselves the true results," says Kyle Vogelzang, a Crop Specialist at Evergreen FS, which has its headquarters based in Bloomington, Illinois. "Some growers will bring me ideas as well, and from there, we develop a comprehensive plan to make those ideas work."

"I feel this is a pretty big honor to receive this award," adds Tyler Osborne, Crop Specialist at AgView FS, which has its headquarters based in Princeton, Illinois. "It is nice to be able to go back to my customers with the Enduring Farm award on their end. In relation, it's nice to then be recognized on my end for putting the effort forth to help customers follow the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program,"

Each winner was nominated by their local management team. Since the program began in 2016, GROWMARK has recognized more than 20 Crop Specialists as Endure Advocates.

About GROWMARK:

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative with annual sales of $8.7 billion (FY 2019 data) providing agronomy, energy, facility planning, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services throughout North America. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives. More information is available at growmark.com.