CPS Wynne: Going The Extra Mile
July 5, 2012 
Nestled in the small Arkansas Delta town of Wynne, the Crop Production Services (CPS) offices and warehouses are a shining example of environmental stewardship. The facilities were designed with an eye on safety and environmental responsibility, and according to Manager Carlton Fisher, those two issues dovetail nicely.
“Human safety and environmental respect go hand-in-hand,” Fisher says. “In turn, we have a lot of very useful technology and chemistry available to us today and the trick is to use it in the correct way and to be mindful of it.”
Fisher is quick to point out the built-in safety features in his warehouse and loading facilities — from raised siding that prevents outside leakage to graded loading docks that trap any spillage during loading. But he is most proud of the culture of safety and stewardship that he and his staff have cultivated. The key, he says, is to spend the extra time to do things correctly the first time, so that you don’t have problems down the road. His staff has adopted this philosophy.
“My guys out here wear gloves all day long for however many years they work here,” Fisher says. “Yeah, that may be uncomfortable. But if it saves one person from having something harmful spilled, or cutting themselves, then it’s worth it.”
CPS has a strong history of being good environmental neighbors in the community, as well. The facility hosts multiple meetings a year aimed at educating farmers and other ag professionals about new products and production practices. As Fisher alluded to, the company goes the extra mile when it comes to the chemical applications of its customers.
Spray Drift
Spray drift and accurate aerial applications have become more challenging around Wynne as farmers have diversified the chemical systems they use. As more switch in and out of glyphosate- and glufosinate-based technology, ag pilots face the potential of killing an entire field if they make an incorrect application.
To combat this, CPS Administrative Coordinator Allie Moore began keeping color-coded maps of the fields belonging to customers and faxing them to pilots whenever an aerial application was to be made. That extra effort makes for an environmentally-sound application.
“We are passionate about safety and stewardship in our community,” Fisher says.
Note: Crop Production Services (CPS) in Wynne, AR, is a 2012 regional Environmental Respect Award winner. For more information on this program, which is sponsored by DuPont, click here.
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