The ResponsibleAg board of directors has selected Tim Cansler as the organization’s first executive director. He will oversee the launch and ongoing administration of ResponsibleAg’s programs, training, and reporting activities, and assume his new role effective July 21, 2014.
“We are very excited to have someone of Tim’s stature join ResponsibleAg,” said J. Billy Pirkle, board chairman. “As the program gets underway, his background, expertise, and vision will help set a strong course for the future. ResponsibleAg is one of our industry’s highest priorities and already has the solid support of industry leaders and public officials. With Tim filling this critical role, we can soon begin working with ag retailers in the field to carry out our mission.”
Cansler is the founder and principal consultant for Cansler Consulting, based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2005, since its inception it has managed two nonprofit associations, with Cansler serving as executive director. He joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002, where he worked with multiple agencies within USDA and advanced to serve as assistant to the undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. In that role, he was responsible for management for three federal agencies. Cansler spent 11 years with Farm Bureau working at the local, state, and national levels, including key public policy initiatives and political outreach.
ResponsibleAg is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 2014 to promote the safe storage and handling of fertilizers and to educate persons in the fertilizer distribution chain with respect to safety standards and government regulations. Utilizing third-party audits, ResponsibleAg will educate fertilizer storage and handling facilities to achieve and maintain compliance with federal environmental, health, safety, and security laws and regulations. ResponsibleAg works closely with the Asmark Institute, and maintains a training center and office in Owensboro, Ky.