They were recognized at the association’s annual conference at Hilton Head, S.C.

Kutnink was honored with the William C. Larue Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the organization and the crop protection industry by an SCPA member. The award is named for the association’s executive secretary for 14 years.

“Kent Kutnink exemplifies the highest standards of honor and integrity, and his efforts have done much to help SCPA accomplish its goals,” said Ed Duskin, the organization’s executive vice president. “His expertise and knowledge have been of great benefit to the crop protection industry.”

Kutnink began his career in the industry in 1979 and worked his way up from general sales to warehouse manager/sales coordinator, then operations manager and regulatory manager. He currently is director of regulatory compliance for Agriliance, responsible for the company’s overall regulatory compliance with the Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

He also oversees daily compliance within the company’s 62 chemical distribution warehouses, 13 crop nutrients warehouses, and 140 company-owned retail farm supply stores.

He has served as chairman of the Interregional Coordinating Council’s Transportation and Distribution Committee for the past two years. Under Kutnink’s guidance, the committee continues to produce outstanding training modules, issue timely bulletins, and update the Hazardous Materials Shipping Guide and Shipping Descriptions, which are widely used across the U.S.

“In addition to this busy schedule, Kent has been going to school and earned his MBA degree with honors in October,” Duskin noted. He also serves on the boards of several industry organizations.

Jack Cullipher, recipient of the Don W. Beise Award for Significant Service, was cited for his service to agriculture and the agricultural chemicals industry.

The award, SCPA’s highest to a person outside the association, honors the late Don Beise.

“We value his leadership and effectiveness in working with the agribusinesses and legislators in South Carolina,” Duskin said. “He provides close liaison with the SCPA State Affairs Committee and is an active communicator of both state and federal legislative and regulatory affairs issues.”

In addition to his dues with the South Carolina Fertilizer and AgChem Association, Cullipher serves as vice chairman of the South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture’s advisory board, and on the state’s Bioterrorism Subcommittee for Agriculture, Fertilizer Advisory Board, Certified Crop Advisor Board, AgExpo board of directors, and the Ag Council.

He also works on crop protection industry educational programs for the association and the general public.

“Jack’s knowledge from over 40 years of working and serving in agriculture, and his ongoing enthusiasm for everything he undertakes, continually help to strengthen our industry and keep it on an upward path,” Duskin said.

The Southern Crop Production Association’s membership includes manufacturers, distributors, and formulators of crop protection chemicals, as well as seed companies.

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