From September 7 -10 myself and several colleagues from BASF, including Brian Lish and Dan Watts, will be attending the RISE 2010 annual meeting. RISE stands for Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment and is an advocacy group for companies like BASF and turf professionals like you. RISE provides pesticide information as a resource and advocate to the media, policy makers and others who may use or advise on the use of pesticide and fertilizer products.
This is important as some loud voices that oppose pesticide use are working to get the attention of lawmakers and restrict pesticide use on lawns and golf courses. Both Landscape Management and Lawn & Landscape feature this topic in their respective August issues.
From PLANET's recent Day on the Hill to the RISE Debug the Myth initiative many are doing their part to remind all stakeholders that responsible use of pesticides can be a benefit to all. But what are you doing in your hometown and neighborhood?
Everyone who touches the turf industry knows that healthy turf provides benefits that include filtering pollution, reducing home cooling costs, and promoting outdoor activity and exercise.
But are those things top of mind with the general public? Remind your friends, neighbors and customers of these facts, inform them these products you use to keep turf weed, disease and insect free are rigorously tested and used responsibly. Then let them draw their own conclusions.
Let's be honest nobody likes air pollution and since most have just endured a very hot summer and have been bombarded with the news that more and more Americans have a growing obesity problem, I'm betting most will agree that pollution reduction, lessened utility bills and a place to exercise are good things.
As cliché as it sounds knowledge is power and the truth can set you free. Share some of it with everyone in your community.
Posted at 10:54 am
About the Author
Tom Hill
Tom Hill is a communications manager for BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals and is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
