By Jamie Martin
BeSure!, an annual campaign by the Growing Matters coalition, returns for the 2025 planting season to encourage farmers to use pesticides responsibly. Since 2019, BeSure! has educated growers on best practices for neonicotinoid product application, ensuring pollinator protection and environmental sustainability.
This initiative equips farmers with crucial information on handling, planting, and disposing of treated seeds and foliar applications. Farmers producing corn, soybeans, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants benefit from these stewardship guidelines. Understanding pesticide labels is essential in reducing risks to pollinators and wildlife.
Chris Jones, NASDA Foundation Senior Director, highlighted the campaign’s impact: “Pesticides are a critical part of agricultural stewardship practices, and ensuring their responsible use remains a shared priority across states, industries, growers and communities.”
The campaign plays a crucial role in protecting food security. Without proper crop protection, fruit, vegetable, and cereal production would face significant losses.
Neonicotinoids help increase yields while safeguarding the environment. The BeSure! campaign fosters industry collaboration to enhance pesticide safety standards.
CropLife America’s CEO, Alexandra Dunn, reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative, stating, “BeSure! provides information on stewardship practices to help ensure that treated seeds and pesticide products are used effectively and safely – supporting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.”
Farmers and applicators can access resources, including stewardship guides and best practice materials, at GrowingMatters.org/BeSure. The campaign also offers the ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship and AAPCO’s MP3 inventory for state-specific recommendations.
By adopting these best practices, growers can contribute to sustainable agriculture while protecting pollinators and maintaining crop productivity. Be a part of the BeSure! initiative and champion responsible pesticide use this season.
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
Categories: National