Last week, NAAA, joined by Helicopter Applicators Inc. out of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, participated in a field day presentation of modern agricultural practices for the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs at Harborview Farms in Rock Hall, Maryland. The event was organized by the Pesticide Policy Coalition, a consortium of users and manufacturers of pesticides, of which NAAA is a member.
Trey Hill of Harborview Farms gave a tour of their corn crop, pesticide storage and ground equipment used at the farm and discussed the modern and sustainable practices commonly followed there. Following that, Helicopter Applicators Inc. supplied an ag-retrofitted OH-58 helicopter and pilot Rasmus Hansen and NAAA CEO Andrew Moore explained the importance of aerial application to crop production and the care, professionalism and sophistication of the technology used to ensure a safe and targeted aerial application. Hansen then provided an aerial application demonstration to the field day participants, which included key policymakers from the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, such as Ed Messina, the director, and many of his staff. In addition, Chris Novak, the president and CEO of CropLife America (the association that represents all pesticide manufacturers), was in attendance, along with many pesticide manufacturers, other key national grower groups and Maryland and Delaware state regulators.
A special NAAA thank you to Glenn Martin of Helicopter Applicators Inc. for his continued support at these field day events loaning ag helicopters and exceptional pilots and crew who articulate the importance and professionalism of aerial application.