The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and implement pollution prevention strategies. The Champions were selected based on their outstanding efforts promoting integrated pest management (IPM) and advancing pollution prevention. They are also being honored for their extraordinary level of commitment to protecting human health and the environment.
PESP Champions employed most or all of the following IPM strategies to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use: sampling to accurately determine pest population levels; training and demonstrating IPM practices; employing cultural practices such as crop rotation or removing food and habitat for structural pests; controlling or managing pests through biologically-based technologies; applying less toxic or reduced-risk pesticides such as insect growth regulators; and using conventional pesticides only when absolutely necessary.
Madeline Mellinger, President of Glades Crop Care, Inc. shared this, "We are proud to have received this honor for the second consecutive year. Our commitment to helping our growers use valuable IPM practices remains strong. We will continue to work with our growers toward further progress."
PESP was established in 1994 with sixteen charter partners and today has over 130 members. The sixteen members designated as PESP Champions of 2003 are: American Mosquito Control Association, Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program, California Tomato Commission, California Almond Board, Gerber Products Company, Glades Crop Care, Inc., Lodi-Woodbridge Wine Grape Commission, Low Input Viticulture and Enology of Oregon, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Massey Services, Inc., Michigan Asparagus Research, Inc., Monroe County School Corporation, Pebble Beach Company, U.S. Department of Defense, University of Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and Walnut Marketing Board.
