Billy Pirkle, chairman of ResponsibleAg, an industry group dedicated to improving the safe handling and storage of fertilizer, has received a Distinguished Service Award from The Agricultural Retailers Association.

Pirkle received the award at the Agricultural Retailers Association meeting last week in Palm Desert, the Association announced.

ResponsibleAg was formed in December 2014, and was created to assist fertilizer facilities with federal regulatory compliance through education, training, and certification.

"Agricultural retailers are already committed to stewardship and safety," Pirkle said. "But the industry didn't have a means to communicate that dedication to the public. ResponsibleAg helps us as an industry to quantify and share our performance."

The organization has reported that through the ResponsibleAg program, more than 1800 facilities have been registered, 400 audits have been conducted, and, by the end of the first quarter of 2016, more than 100 facilities will be ResponsibleAg Certified.

"Many people put this together. It was not an individual effort," Pirkle said. "I'm humbled and honored to be recognized with this award."

The ARA Distinguished Service Award honors an individual member of the association who has gone beyond the traditional member and volunteer responsibilities to support the ag retailers industry and the association - making the industry better for all.

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