CropLife America is committed to ensuring that crops become sustainable sources of food, fuel, and fiber, in a method that is environmentally responsible. The opportunities our industry experiences now and in the future are made possible by the dedication of individuals within our industry. CropLife America wishes to continue its tradition of acknowledging exceptional individuals and their contributions. Each award honors an individual with a particular set of skills, abilities, and contributions. Awards are given yearly as a part of the CropLife America Annual Meeting.
The highest honor is the Lea S. Hitchner Award, named for our first and longest-serving president. “If ever a man could accurately summarize his whole career with the two words ‘agriculture chemicals’ Hitchner is that man,” wrote the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 1958. Imagine how powerful our industry would be if each of us could be described as having that level of dedication.
The Workhorse Award and the Presidential Path to Leadership Awards recognize individual members whose outstanding leadership and dedication has led to the successes our association and industry have achieved- through pesticide promotion, in science and regulatory matters, and in legislative affairs.
We also look outside our immediate community via the Urbanowski Grassroots Award, which honors individuals who work to promote the industry through community involvement and grassroots efforts. These are individuals who truly understand and support our industry and what we are working to achieve.
The State Legislative Award salutes an outstanding state legislator or agricultural commissioner, and the Agriculture Ambassador Award recognizes media or allied organizations showing excellence in educating the public about our industry. Providing complete, unbiased and accurate information about pesticides is crucial in an age where news is dispensed on a constant basis.
