WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (June 12, 2024) –
Georgia joins FieldWatch along with 24 other states, one Canadian province, and the District of Columbia. The membership will enable Georgia’s beekeepers (hobbyist and commercial) and crop producers (organic and conventional) to use a secure, easy-to-use online registry to identify and map the locations of apiaries and crop fields that pesticide applicators should avoid. The free and voluntary registries, DriftWatch™ and BeeCheck™, will be available to all Georgia beekeepers and crop producers. FieldCheck® is the online and mobile portal that pesticide applicators can use to improve decision-making and avoid damage from spray drift to crops and beehives.
“The goal is to get beekeepers and crop producers registered through FieldWatch so applicators can access accurate information before spraying,” said Bob Walters, President and CEO of FieldWatch. “This model has been proven to build good stewardship and communication in agriculture.”
Georgia’s membership decision was especially driven by the needs of crop producers and beekeepers who wanted to register the locations of their apiaries and crops. “The State of Georgia is excited to partner with FieldWatch to make their innovative technology available to Georgia farmers and beekeepers alike,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “This partnership gives our farmers another tool in the toolbox as we work together to ensure the continued success of Georgia agriculture and make our #1 industry more sustainable by promoting safe, effective and efficient pesticide usage.”
