Greensboro, North Carolina
December 5, 2007
Dale Nicol, AgriEdge® specialist
for Syngenta
Crop Protection in Kern County, California, has been named
2007 Member of the Year by the California Association of Pest
Control Advisors (CAPCA). Nicol was recognized for his
leadership of the Kern Drift Prevention Coalition (KDPC) that
brought together agricultural groups to prevent pesticide drift.
Nicol, a licensed PCA, was also one of the authors of KDPC’s
Spray Safe program.
Diana Nisbet, CAPCA executive committee member, immediate past
president of the state CAPCA organization and Syngenta
Professional Products sales representative, presented the award
to Nicol at CAPCA’s annual meeting. “Dale brought his expertise
in the pest management industry and the professionalism of CAPCA
pest control advisors to the table to get commodity boards, farm
labor organizations, county agriculture commissioners, local
government officials and agriculture associations to map out a
strategic program to reduce the risk of incidents due to drift,”
Nisbet said. “His positive influence is felt throughout not only
the CAPCA organization, but all of agriculture in the West.”
Added John Foresman, Syngenta crop manager, “This award
recognizes the many contributions that Dale has made during his
28-year career to agriculture in California and to his
community. These are activities above and beyond the norm that
advance the understanding, recognition and professionalism of
pest control advisors.”
The Kern Drift Prevention Coalition and its Spray Safe program
have been credited with encouraging farmers to take a more
proactive role in the safe and on-target application of
pesticides in their communities. It has used Spray Safe meetings
that include farmers, pest control advisors, applicators and
labor contractors to encourage safe farming and improved worker
safety.
“Kern County agriculture takes seriously its responsibility to
farm in a safe manner,” said Nicol. “Since Spray Safe was
launched in April of 2006, there has been widespread adoption
and interest. This is a program created by farmers, for farmers.
Spray Safe goes beyond simply following the rules and
regulations. Farmers and applicators are in the fields each day
watching and looking at situations, problems and opportunities
as they arise. It’s up to us to make sure we think about what we
are doing and that we’re vigilant in making sure that our
neighbors are also taking every appropriate precaution to avoid
mistakes and accidents. That is what Spray Safe is all about,
and it’s working.”
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to
sustainable agriculture through innovative research and
technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and
ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in
2006 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs around
21,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the
Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). |
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