The company’s historic Columbus Engine Plant (CEP) was recognized by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for a range of initiatives to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste. The company was also named a 2021 Military Friendly Employer for providing opportunities to veterans and their spouses. Finally, Forbes and Statista named Cummins to its 2nd Annual America’s Best Employers by State list for Indiana.

Governor’s environmental award

CEP was one of six Indiana organizations and government agencies honored for its work on the environment as part of the governor’s annual awards for environmental excellence.

“By using innovative environmental practices, they have reduced waste, saved money, and contributed greatly to environmental protection efforts for Hoosiers,”

Indiana Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Bruno Pigott said of the honorees.

The Cummins plant was specifically recognized for five years of continuous environmental improvement, including an upgrade to more energy-efficient LED lighting in 2017, an energy-saving manufacturing controls project started that same year enabling CEP to convert a continuously running coolant system to on-demand service, and engine test cell improvements saving 3.4 million gallons of water per year in the system to cool engines undergoing testing.

CEP also achieved Zero Waste status under Cummins’ environmental management program, and the plant’s popular Community Recycling Day for residents in the company’s headquarters city of Columbus diverted some 740,000 pounds of material from reaching area landfills.

“To have a successful environmental management system, it takes every department, every team and every individual working together to create change. This recognition is the result of their hard work and dedication.”

said David Wehrkamp, CEP’s Environmental Supervisor.

Military friendly employer

Cummins was also one of 240 employers recently named to the 2021 Military Friendly Employers list for its work in the U.S. to create opportunities for veterans and their spouses both through employment and supplier initiatives.

“Companies that have earned this designation have invested in substantive programs to recruit, retain, and advance veterans within their organizations. To them, hiring veterans isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s good for business.”

said Josh Rosen, who leads the organization that puts the list together.

Employers are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Established in 2003, the Military Friendly Employers list provides a comprehensive guide to veterans and their families. In addition to Cummins employment efforts for veterans, the company has a very active employee resource group dedicated to veterans, and veterans are also included in Cummins’ supplier diversity initiatives.

The recognition as a Military Friendly Employer follows the company’s designation in July as a Top-Scoring Company on the 2020 Disability Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to evaluate their disability inclusion policies and practices. Companies scoring 80% or higher are recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

Best employers by State 2021

Finally, Cummins was named to the 2nd annual list of America’s Best Employers by State 2021 for the company’s headquarters state of Indiana.

The list is prepared by Forbes magazine and Statista, which specializes in consumer and market data. It is based on an independent survey of more than 80,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people in their U.S. operations. The surveys were administered using a series of online panels selected to get a representative sample.

Cummins is one of 80 top employers on the list for the state, ranking only behind Salesforce in Indiana. Other highly ranked employers include Eli Lilly and Company (third) and the Indiana University School of Medicine (fourth).

Source: Cummins

The post Cummins obtains recognizement in Indiana appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Fertilizer Canada, along with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and The Nature Conservancy, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining their commitment to the continued development and expansion of the North American 4R Certification Program. The Global NSCC will create consistency amongst geographies, maintain program rigour, and ensure core auditable requirements are represented in each geographies’ standards. The partnership will also provide guidance to new entities interested in developing programs in their geographies.

Garth Whyte, President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada, said:

“The North American fertilizer industry has developed a robust science-based 4R Certification program for agri-retailers which validates the climate-smart agricultural practices of their growers. The 4R Certification program further demonstrates the fertilizer industry’s commitment to increase on-farm crop productivity and fertilizer efficiency while also demonstrating our leadership in sustainable agriculture.”

4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®) is an internationally recognized framework that can be tailored to fit specific crop types, climates and soils. Over the last decade, Fertilizer Canada has implemented the 4Rs through both the 4R Certification and 4R Designation Programs. Developed for agri-retailers, these voluntary programs quantify their sustainable efforts through collecting and reporting acres that are applying 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices.

Dave Buttenham, CEO of the Ontario Agri-Business Association, said:

“The development and implementation of clear, concise and achievable standards provide ag retailers with a consistent 4R framework that guides the delivery of products and services to the farm community across Ontario. It is imperative that the 4R Certification standards guiding Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ® are continuously reviewed and updated to ensure they use the most recent technology, research and science available to the industry.”

Fertilizer Canada, together with the 4R Ontario Steering Committee, amended the audited 4R Certification Program from Ohio to meet the conditions in Ontario, while at the same time ensuring alignment between cross-border efforts aimed at the long-term improvement of the Great Lakes water quality, particularly Lake Erie. The program has since expanded to include Prince Edward Island, with the 4R Designation Program being implemented in Western Canada.

The 4R Certification Program is a voluntary, industry-led program that promotes the sustainable use of nutrients on agricultural fields, which significantly reduces and prevents nutrients run-off. The program certifies nutrient service provider’s business practices against the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship. 4R Certified agri retail sites conduct annual, independent, third-party audits which validate their understanding of the 4R principles, nutrient recommendations and application practices, and documentation. Following and recommendation and implementation of 4R principles with their grower customers.

Agri-retailers interested in implementing the 4R Certification or 4R Designation program in Canada should contact Fertilizer Canada to learn more about the programs and the steps required to participate.

Source: Fertilizer Canada

The post Fertilizer Canada Is a Key Signatory in the Launch of the Global 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Council appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

     I am extremely honored to participate on this very impressive and diverse task force that gives the grocery industry a seat at the table as we work to get our state economy up and running again.  I look forward to collaborating with thought leaders from throughout California as we develop recommendations for both government and business to help revive our economy and guide the state back toward economic growth and recovery.

Fong said.

California’s grocery industry is one of the state’s largest employers, employing more than 350,000 Californians.

The 80-member task force is co-chaired by former U.S. presidential candidate and billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer and Gov. Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary, and includes representatives from business, labor, environment, social justice, state legislature and four former California governors.

“This is a tremendous honor for our industry to be represented on this task force; this pandemic has hit families and businesses in ways none of us could have ever imagined. Ron is uniquely positioned to add a valuable perspective as he represents California’s grocery Industry which sits squarely on the front lines of helping keep families feed and energized as we collectively navigate through this crisis.”

said CGA chair Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers.

Source: California Grocers Association

The post CGA President Fong appointed to Governor’s Task Force on business and jobs recovery appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.