Business digest

Central Valley Ag wins award

MONROE -- Central Valley Ag Cooperative, of Monroe, has been named the Environmental Respect Award state winner for Nebraska in 2009.

The Environmental Respect Awards, sponsored by CropLife® magazine and DuPont Crop Protection, are the agricultural industry’s highest recognition for environmental stewardship among U.S. agricultural retailers, those who serve farmers and ranchers with the nutrients, pest control and agronomic information and services critical to effective crop production. Each year a panel of industry experts gathers to recognize achievement in environmental stewardship, professional excellence and community involvement.

Central Valley Ag won the award based on excellence in site design, in-plant storage and handling procedures, proper application and leadership in safety and stewardship among customers and employees.

The company has installed many environmentally-friendly systems at its operations. All fertilizer and bulk tanks are located in a contained area and are labeled and locked. The company conducts emergency drills and offers emergency and hazardous materials training for employees.

Each state winner will receive a personalized, distinctive Environmental Respect Award crystal sculpture and a statewide press campaign geared toward select print and broadcast media, as well as a public relations kit.

More information on the Environmental Respect Awards can be found at www.environmentalrespect.com.

Schaben third in Reliv sales

COLUMBUS -- Columbus residents Sandy and Jim Schaben placed third in June sales volume among more than 55,000 U.S. distributors for Reliv International Inc., a direct selling company that markets nutritional supplements.

They earned a $3,000 bonus for this accomplishment.

Dubas reaches Loup milestone

COLUMBUS -- Tony Dubas, of Fullerton, was recognized for 10 years of service to Loup Power District.

Dubas joined Loup as a lineman in the Fullerton retail operation. In 2005, he passed the journeyman lineman test and was promoted to journeyman lineman, his current position in the Fullerton division.

A graduate of Fullerton High School, Dubas earned a utility lineman degree from Northeast Community College in Norfolk.