Monroe Farmer, Agronomist Honored by The Fertilizer Institute

ARLINGTON, VA., March 21, 2023 – Greg Keller, owner of Keller Farm from Monroe, and Randy Zmek, field sales agronomist with Central Valley Ag Co-op at Monroe, were honored March 9 as 4R Advocates by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). They were recognized for their commitment to implementing fertilizer management practices that incorporate the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship and have demonstrated economic and environmental benefits.

Keller and Zmek have worked together for 19 years to hone farming practices and have increased corn and soybean yields and quality while decreasing fertilizer use. The 150-year-old farm has been under no-till for 21 years. This practice helps increase soil health and reduce erosion and rain runoff.

“While 4R Nutrient Stewardship is a priority for the fertilizer industry, it’s also a tangible solution for thousands of farmers across American who are seeking fertilizer application practices that have real-world impact on their bottom line and their land,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “We are proud of the industry’s retailers who work with growers to implement these practices at the field level.”

Now in its 12th year, the 4R Advocate program demonstrates the in-field successes of implementing 4R practices based on the right source, rate, time, and placement of fertilizer. 4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve in-field goals, such as increased production and profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability.

Throughout the year, Keller and Zmek will be included in TFI’s outreach efforts to promote fertilizer management practices by hosting farm field days, participating in conference panels and speaking on behalf of 4Rs to their farming peers.

Honored with Keller and Zmek were: Andrew Johnstad, Johnstad Farms, Beltrami, MN; Dwight Christian, TDS Fertilizer, Inc., Fertile, MN; Randy Bales, Fairholme Ag LLC, Lewisville, IN; and Eric Steigerwalt, Co-Alliance Coop, New Castle, IN.

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.