Ten Mid-South cotton gins have won the Diamond Award of Excellence for outstanding worker safety programs in 2013.

It is the highest level in the Southern Cotton Ginners Association’s annual safety awards program. To win the award, a gin must earn a 99.8 percent to 100 percent score in all safety inspection categories for five consecutive years.

"It's tough to score that high one year, but to do it five years in a row takes a lot of effort and dedication, beginning at the top with management, and including every gin employee," says Larry Davis, SCGA safety director.

Award winners at all levels of the safety program were honored at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

In addition to the Diamond level, other scoring levels are: Platinum, 99.8-100; Gold, 99.6-99.7; Silver, 97-99.5; and Bronze, 94-96.9.

“Even those qualifying for the Bronze level have done an outstanding job in meeting our rigid safety standards,” Davis says. “All of the award winners are constantly striving to improve their programs, working toward a higher level.

“Safety in ginning operations starts at the top, with owners and managers. When they put safety at the top of their must-do list, it pays dividends all down the line. With everyone working together to keep attention focused on these goals, we can do everything possible to keep our workplaces accident-free.”

Buddy Cochran, chairman of the SCGA Safety Committee, agrees that “the dedication shown by management and employees of our member gins has resulted in an exceptional record in reducing accidents and injuries, and they are to be commended for their achievements.”

Award winners in each state for 2013 were:

Arkansas — Diamond Award of Excellence: Cotton Growers Inc., Dell; Griffin Gins Inc., Helena; McGehee Producers Gin, McGehee; and Pendleton Gin Co. Inc., Dumas.

Platinum Award of Excellence: Black Oak Gin Co. Inc., Black Oak; McClendon Mann & Felton Gin, Marianna; McClendon Mann & Felton Gin #3, Brickeys; Monette Co-op Gin, Monette; and Round Lake Co-op Gin, Grady.

Gold Award of Excellence: Childress Gin & Elevator Co., Inc., Monette; GPS Gin Co. Inc., Portland; Langston Enterprises, Inc., Blytheville; and Willow Gin LLC,Wilson.

Silver Award of Excellence: Adams Land Company, Leachville; Graves Gin Corporation, Rector; Kiech-Shauver-Miller Gin Co., Monette; New Peoples Gin Co. Inc., Holly Grove; Service Cooperative Gin Co. Inc., Marvell; and Shawnee Village Gin LLC, Joiner.

Bronze Award of Excellence: Alvin Samuel Gin Inc, Paragould; Bay Gin Co., Bay; Crittenden Gin Company, Marion; Dixie Gin of Poinsett County Inc., Trumann; Lindsey Brothers Gin, Caldwell; Lindsey Brothers Gin,Widener; and Portland Gin & Warehouse Inc., Portland.

Most Improved Award: Epstein Gin Company, Lake Village.
Louisiana — Diamond Award of Excellence: Tanner & Co., Frogmore.

Platinum Award of Excellence: Catavoy Cotton Gin LLC, Jonesville; McNutt Gin Inc., Boyce; Newellton Gin Company Inc., Newellton; and Tri-Parish Gin LLC, Lettsworth.

Gold Award of Excellence: Lagniappe Cotton Gin LLC, Hamburg; and Tensas Co-op Gin Inc., Newellton.

Silver Award of Excellence: Valley Gin Inc., Shreveport.

Most Improved: Planters Gin Company, St. Joseph.

Mississippi — Diamond Award of Excellence: Silver Creek Gin Co., Holly Bluff.

Platinum Award of Excellence:  Quito Gin Company, Itta Bena; Vance Gin Co. Inc., Clarksdale; and Yazoo Planters Gin Co., Yazoo City.

Gold Award of Excellence: Avon Gin Inc., Avon; Columbus Gin, Shaw; and Hi Grade Gin Corp.,Winona.

Silver Award of Excellence: Bobo Moseley Gin Company, Lyon; Cowart Gin Co. Inc., Charleston; Doolittle Gin Inc., Gore Springs; Greenwood Gin Inc., Greenwood; Mattson Gin Inc., Lyon; Midway Gin of Yazoo Cty Inc., Benton; Tunica Gin Corp., Tunica; Vaiden Farmers Gin LLP, Vaiden; and Yalobusha County Gin Company Inc., Coffeeville.

Bronze Award of Excellence: Big Creek Gin Co. Inc., Lyon; Bogue Chitto Gin, Macon; Calhoun County Gin Inc., Calhoun City; Four County Gin Inc., Calhoun City; Gaddis & McLaurin Gin, Bolton; H.B. Hood & Sons Gin, Gunnison; Issaquena S. Washington Gin Inc., Glen Allan; Midnight Gin Co. Inc., Midnight; and Cotton Producers Inc., Bentonia.

Most Improved: Holmes Gin Co.,Tchula.

Missouri — Diamond Award of Excellence: Farmers Union Gin & Warehouse Co. Inc., Senath; and White Oak Gin, White Oak.

Platinum Award of Excellence: Bernie Farmers Gin, Malden; Blakemore Cotton & Grain LLC, Campbell; L. Berry Gin Company, Holland; Portageville Farmers Gin, Portageville; Sandy Ridge Cotton Co. LLC, Malden; Stokes-Mayberry Gin Co. Inc., Malden; and Vanduser Gin Co. Inc., Vanduser.

Gold Award of Excellence: A.C. Riley Cotton Co. Inc., New Madrid; Bootheel Cotton Co., Matthews; Graves Kennett Gin, Kennett; and McCord Gin Company, Gideon.

Silver Award of Excellence: 4-Way Gin, Senath; Cardwell Cooperative Inc., Cardwell; Caruthersville Gin, Caruthersville; D. G. & G. Matthews Plant, Matthews; D.G. & G. Inc., Parma; Dalton Cotton Company, Senath; Peach Orchard Gin Co. Inc., Gideon; and Richardson Gin, Inc., Marston.

Bronze Award of Excellence: Crowder Gin Co., Sikeston; and Mahan Gin Co., Parma.

Most Improved: Little River Gin Inc.,  Hornersville.

Tennessee — Diamond Award of Excellence: Longtown Gin, Mason; and Zion Gin Co., Brownsville.

Platinum Award of Excellence: Burlison Gin Company Inc., Burlison; Crockett Gin Co. LLC, Maury City; and Espey Gin Co., McLemoresville.

Gold Award of Excellence: Arp Cotton Gin Co. LLC, Ripley; Crockett Mills Gin LLC, Crockett Mills; and Farmers Gin of Humboldt, Humboldt.

Silver Award of Excellence: Bemis Gin & Warehouse Co., Jackson; Cairo Farmers Gin LLC, Alamo; Farmers Friendship Gin Inc., Friendship; L & H Gin, Alamo; Oak Grove Gin LLC, Somerville; Phoenix Gin Co., Tiptonville; and Union Gin Co. Inc., Brownsville.

Bronze Award of Excellence: Halls Gin Company, Halls; Hickory Valley Gin, Hickory Valley; Tennessee Gins & Warehouses, Covington; Tibbs Gin Co., Brownsville; and Yorkville Gin Company, Yorkville.

SCGA Most Improved: Two Way Gin Co. Inc., Brownsville.