Les Lyman, president of the agricultural retail company known as The Lyman/Tremont Group based in Walnut Grove, Calif., has won the prestigious “Outstanding Retailer of the Year” award, the Western Plant Health Association announced.

Lyman was presented the award during the annual meeting of the Agricultural Retailer Association (ARA) held in Boca Raton, Fla. The annual award is sponsored by ARA, Monsanto and AgProfessional magazine and honors retailers who consistently exceed their customers’ expectations and serve as a positive example for other retailers through their outstanding and innovative business practices.

“Mr. Lyman and his organization are outstanding examples of today’s modern agricultural retail businesses, combining progressive workforce programs, environmentally sensitive products and practices, and effective community outreach,” said Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) President Renee Pinel.

Lyman and his companies are longtime WPHA members, and strongly support local community outreach programs and agricultural education efforts such as those offered by the California Fertilizer Foundation and California Agriculture in the Classroom.

The Lyman/Tremont Groups have locations throughout Northern California. The origins of the Lyman Group dates back to 1951, when Harvey Lyman and five partners formed Ag Chemicals Inc. to serve grower needs in the Sacramento River Delta area of California. Their initial warehouse and office in Walnut Grove now houses the Lyman Group Farm Parts Store and maintenance shop operations.

WPHA is a nonprofit trade association that represents the interests of fertilizer and crop protection manufacturers, biotechnology providers, distributors and agricultural retailers in California, Arizona and Hawaii.