CPS Union: Environmental Respect In The Heartland
July 5, 2012 An impressive 98% overall score on this year’s Environmental Respect Awards Audit can only mean one thing: Crop Protection Services (CPS) Inc., Union, IA, is among those at the forefront of environmental respect as far as ag retailers go.
“Environmental respect is at the core of our business and is woven throughout every aspect of our operation,” explains Manager Russell Hibbs. “Environmental respect does not begin and end with the handling of plant nutrients and crop protection products; we must always operate in a manner which is respectful to our surroundings by using the best application methods, maximizing soil productivity, sustaining the lands future and minimizing negative effects.”
At CPS Union, environmental respect is not just viewed as policy; it’s an investment in the company itself. “Environmental respect is an investment in the future because our business is directly linked to the environment,” says Hibbs. “As the environment continues to thrive, our customers will succeed and, in turn, so will our company. When the environment is the source of our life and livelihood, the only approach is to nurture, sustain, protect and preserve it.”
In the community, CPS maintains an active presence, providing financial support to a wide variety of local organizations from the Central Iowa Fair and the local fire department to the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
“Not only does CPS Union provide financial support for local programs,” adds Hibbs. “We also for many years have maintained the local park and help customer’s in need with upkeep on their property.”
Which brings us to a nice story that neatly portrays CPS’ community-first approach: Recently, a grower-customer whose husband suffers from Parkinson’s Disease was having some issues with overgrown trees making it difficult for CPS to access their fields for spraying. Instead of perhaps recommending the grower hire a tree service to take care of the problem, three CPS employees took it upon themselves to not only trim the customer’s trees free of charge, but they also hauled away the brush for the grower. The next day, the grower personally called to thank the CPS employees for their generous and thoughtful gesture.
“CPS has made an investment in our community by employing local people, purchasing local whenever possible and being good neighbors while contributing to our community,” says Hibbs.
Note: Crop Protection Services (CPS) in Union, IA, is a 2012 state Environmental Respect Award winner. For more information on this program, which is sponsored by DuPont, click here.
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