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NOW NEWS
“CHS Seeds for Stewardship” funds are going back into the communities where CHS Larsen Cooperative does business to protect local firefighters and community members, build stronger rural communities and support ag education. Through CHS Country Operations' Seeds for Stewardship, Dale Fire & Rescue is receiving $2,800 and Clayton Fire Rescue is getting $2,176 from CHS Larsen Cooperative. Dale Fire & Rescue will be using these funds to purchase a grain bin rescue system and Clayton Fire Rescue will be purchasing rescue saws. “CHS Larsen Cooperative has a close working relationship with both these fire departments,” says David Neal, general manager, CHS Larsen Cooperative. “From time to time, we have the departments come to our locations to practice rescues and do walkthroughs with our staff, so they have a better understanding of our
Chris Tews (left) and Robert Wilkins (right) of the Dale Fire Department accept a check from Matt McHugh (center), CHS Larsen Cooperative safety leader, with the funds to be used for the purchase of a grain rescue system.
business,” Neal explains. “Having this equipment will definitely help the departments provide an increased level of service to our communities and facilities in the area.” Making the purchase of a grain bin rescue system will provide a centrally located resource that can be quickly deployed to help save lives in the community. There are several large farming operations that grow, harvest, transport and store crops onsite in Readfield. The bulk materials present unique challenges to emergency services, and this equipment can help rescue personnel conduct their jobs safely and more efficiently than they can today. Dale Fire & Rescue also borders other farming communities that would benefit from having a portable coffer dam and grain evacuation system readily available.
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Left: Ryan Jones (center) and Tony Seelow (right) of CHS Larsen Cooperative present a check to Scott Rieckmann (left), director of public safety for Clayton Fire Rescue, with the funds slated to be used for purchasing rescue saws.
continued from pg. 63 “Dale Fire & Rescue is looking forward to purchasing its coffer dam, which is designed to keep grain from flowing against an entrapped victim and create a space around the victim so grain can be removed,” says Robert Wilkins, deputy assistant chief, Dale Fire Department.
PORTABLE SYSTEM
“We will be buying a kit that contains the coffer dam, grain ejector, grates and a case,” Wilkins says. “This is a portable system, and we can quickly transport it to the surrounding departments if needed.” Clayton Fire Rescue’s purchase of a rescue saw that cuts steel and one that cuts wood will provide a quicker and safer response to many rescue situations. Both saws will be utilized for rescue and fire situations, including but not limited to grain bin rescue, person(s) entrapped in farm machinery, vehicle accidents, accessing fires in machine sheds and barns, removal of brush during wildland fires and removal of trees and limbs from a natural disaster. The added equipment will provide needed lifesaving equipment to Clayton Fire Rescue and surrounding stations. “Thank you to the CHS Seeds of Stewardship program for the generous donation of two rescue saws,” says Scott Rieckmann, director of public safety. “The saws will greatly enhance our response to many types of emergency calls in our response area and neighboring communities.” The CHS Country Operations' Seeds for Stewardship matching grant program supports the cooperative’s commitment to create connections that empower agriculture and rural communities. Through this program, local CHS ag retail business units are identifying organizations in local communities that need support for safety, ag leadership, farmer health and wellbeing, and community engagement. Since 2017, CHS Larsen Cooperative has donated more than $1.8 million in funds through CHS Seeds for Stewardship.
EPA Bans Use of Chlorpyrifos
Pesticide applied to crops like corn, soybeans, Brussels sprouts and broccoli
On August 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it will ban the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops, citing a link to health problems in children. In 2020, Corteva Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of the chemical, said it would stop producing chlorpyrifos because of declining sales. The decision is a victory for environmental activists who have fought to stop the use of the chemical that is applied to crops ranging from corn and soybeans to Brussels sprouts and broccoli. “EPA is taking an overdue step to protect public health,” says EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Ending the use of chlorpyrifos on food will help to ensure children, farmworkers and all people are protected from the potentially dangerous consequences of this pesticide.” Chlorpyrifos has been used as a pesticide since 1965 on farms
In 2020, Corteva Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of chlorpyrifos, said it would stop producing it because of declining sales. Last year, California prohibited farmers from using chlorpyrifos products and manufacturers from selling them due to health concerns. File photo/AgWeb
and in non-agricultural areas such as golf courses, according to the EPA. However, applications have declined due to state restrictions, reduced production and the development of alternative products, the agency indicates. The EPA banned the use of chlorpyrifos, in 2015, under President Barack Obama after the agency decided it could not be certain whether exposure to the chemical in food and water would be harmful.
But the EPA of the President Donald Trump administration reversed the decision and said there was not enough evidence to link exposure to chlorpyrifos with children’s health issues.
Last year, California prohibited farmers from using chlorpyrifos products and manufacturers from selling them due to health concerns.
