Promoting Safe Crop Protection Usage in 2025 Season
Growing Matters' BeSure! campaign is back for its seventh season, continuing its mission to guide growers and applicators in the safe and responsible use of crop protection products.
Launched in 2019, the initiative stresses the importance of following best management practices with neonicotinoids, crucial for protecting pollinators and wildlife in agricultural and urban landscapes.
Chris Jones, Senior Director at NASDA Foundation, emphasizes the campaign's role in promoting an evidence-based regulatory framework for pesticide use.
"Pesticides are a critical part of agricultural stewardship practices, and ensuring their responsible use remains a shared priority across states, industries, growers and communities," Jones states, highlighting the collective effort required to maintain both productivity and environmental safety.
The campaign targets growers of diverse crops including corn, soybeans, and ornamentals, educating them on the nuances of product labels and safe handling procedures.
With the support of organizations like CropLife America, BeSure! equips stakeholders with resources such as the ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship and the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship (PES) website.
Alexandra Dunn, president of CropLife America, supports the campaign's ongoing efforts. "BeSure! provides information on stewardship practices to help ensure that treated seeds and pesticide products are used effectively and safely – supporting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship," Dunn says, reinforcing the campaign's impact.
As the planting season advances, the BeSure! campaign encourages all involved in agriculture to adopt stewardship practices that ensure safety and enhance productivity, making a positive impact on our global food supply and ecological health.