The BeSure! Mission with Growing Matters

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - The BeSure! Mission with Growing Matters

In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Jeffrey Smith & Caydee Savinelli of Growing Matters. Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Today we talk about the importance of neonics, what the industry could look like without them, and farming best practices when it comes to crop protection.

Jeffrey Smith currently serves as Manager of Industry and Government Relations for Valent U.S.A. LLC where his primary responsibility is to develop partnerships with allied commodity and trade associations to advance policies supporting grower access to new crop and yield enhancement tools. Jeff also works with Federal and state regulatory agencies and legislatures on industry wide pesticide issues. Prior to his current role, he was a Field Market Development Specialist responsible for developing crop protection products row crop and specialty markets throughout the Midwestern, Southwestern and Southeastern United States.  Jeff also has experience in the retail sector of the industry, starting his career with Gold Kist, Inc.  Combined, Jeff has over 30 years of experience within the crop protection industry. 

Caydee Savinelli is the Syngenta U.S. Stewardship Team and Pollinator Lead.  In this role, she leads a team with goals of advocating, educating, and collaborating for stewardship of Syngenta products to provide farmers and golf and landscape professionals a variety of tools to control important pests.  The team provides a catalyst for change through Sustainable and Responsible Business and Good Growth Plan initiatives.  Some of the main areas of the stewardship team’s focus are environmental issues, endangered species, pesticide safety education and pollinator and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Caydee has focused on pest management, product development and crop protection throughout her 38-year career and has worked in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. 

Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

Learn more at https://GrowingMatters.org or https://growingmatters.org/besure

#cropprotection #farming #neonicotinoids

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