RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) announced during its Feb. 9 industry breakfast, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in Atlanta, Ga., the creation of a new grassroots program for managing local pesticide and fertilizer issues.
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“Our goal is to strengthen and build alliances in towns and cities across the country and to increase public awareness of the benefits of our industry’s products,” RISE President Allen James told the audience of 140, which included industry leaders and golf course superintendents. “Pesticides go beyond beautifying our surroundings – they play a vital role in protecting people, animals and the environment.”
James says the specialty products industry has "a good story to tell" and has done a good job communicating that at state and federal levels. The new grassroots program will allow RISE to help the industry continue that communication in local communities around the nation, ensuring an informed public and balanced public policy debate about the use of specialty products.
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RISE has committed to a significant expansion of its grassroots action and is hiring a grassroots manager. Also, RISE is encouraging industry associations, state and local chapters, individual members and distributors to get involved. “Everyone working in the specialty industry has an obligation to educate their neighbors, friends and local policy makers about the products they make, sell and use," James said. "The new grassroots program will help us to speak with one voice and to communicate one message – our products are safe and necessary to sustaining public health and the environment.”
Lawn & Landscape is working to contact RISE to learn more about the new program and its goals. Visit www.lawnandlandscape.com often for updates on this and other news stories.