Growing Matters' BeSure! Campaign Returns to Promote Good Stewardship Practices This Season

The 2025 BeSure! campaign advocates for the safe usage of crop protection products

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Growing Matters' annual BeSure! campaign has returned for the 2025 planting and growing season to promote proper stewardship efforts around the safe usage of crop protection products. Since its 2019 inception, the campaign has educated growers and applicators about best management practices when using neonicotinoid products in both agricultural and urban settings.

The BeSure! initiative, launched by the Growing Matters coalition, equips growers and applicators with knowledge to safeguard pollinators and wildlife through responsible handling, planting and disposal of treated seeds, foliar or field applications. A grower's primary resource for minimizing potential wildlife exposure to pesticides is the product label. This campaign aims to reach growers who produce row crops like corn and soybeans, fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.

"Pesticides are a critical part of agricultural stewardship practices, and ensuring their responsible use remains a shared priority across states, industries, growers and communities," said NASDA Foundation Senior Director, Chris Jones. "The BeSure! campaign exemplifies this robust collaboration in advocating for an evidence-based, transparent regulatory framework for pesticide use. By working together across states and stakeholder groups, we can better support both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship."

The BeSure! campaign fosters an industry-wide collaboration to elevate stewardship standards during crucial planting and growing periods. Crop protection helps reduce diseases and increase crop yields, making this effort invaluable and essential for the world's food supply. Without this practice, approximately 78% of fruit production, 54% of vegetable production and 32% of cereal production would be lost. Crop protection products such as neonicotinoids help to maintain the U.S. food supply and minimizes risk to surrounding wildlife.

"CropLife America is proud to support the BeSure! campaign again this year, and to be part of the Growing Matters coalition. Stewardship and responsible pesticide use advances sustainable agriculture, and BeSure! plays an important role in offering applicators and growers practical resources to protect pollinators, wildlife and the environment," said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CropLife America. "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."

This season, join the stewardship movement by ensuring you're championing best-management practices for safe and responsible product use. When you visit GrowingMatters.org/BeSure, you can fine-tune your stewardship approach and make a positive impact with the various resources available like our downloadable one-pagers for both growers and applicators. You can also find the ASTA's Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship for additional information on neonicotinoids application, the Association for American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) MP3 inventory for individualized resources by state for best practices on pollinator health, along with a link to the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship (PES) website for information on proper pesticide handling. With a plethora of knowledge at your fingertips, you have the opportunity to be responsible and BeSure!

About Growing Matters
Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

About NASDA
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.

About CropLife America
Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America's member companies produce, sell, and distribute virtually all the necessary and vital pesticide and biotechnology products used by American farmers.

SOURCE Growing Matters