For safety professionals managing multiple agricultural locations, consistency can be one of the biggest challenges. Lisa Hanson, Safety Director at Ag Plus in South Whitley, Indiana, discovered the solution in ResponsibleAg certification—a program that has fundamentally transformed how the company approaches safety across its diverse operations.
Ag Plus operates 16 locations spanning agronomy centers, grain storage, feed mills, fuel operations, and transportation services. With such a varied portfolio, Hanson needed a comprehensive system that could deliver consistent safety standards across all facilities while streamlining regulatory compliance.
“That’s the thing I like about ResponsibleAg audits. It’s consistency,” Hanson explains. “All my locations get the exact same questions asked, so they don’t have to worry that I’m picking on just that location. They all know they’re getting audited the same way.”
Ag Plus has been participating in ResponsibleAg since 2018, currently maintaining certification at six agronomy centers with plans to add a seventh location in 2025. What began as a trial of the audit tools has evolved into a cornerstone of Ag Plus’s safety program.
A Resource That Saves Time and Improves Compliance
Before ResponsibleAg, Hanson faced the daunting task of developing comprehensive audit procedures from scratch. ResponsibleAg’s 42-page framework eliminated that burden entirely. “You don’t have to recreate the wheel. It’s already done for you,” she says. “ResponsibleAg has already done it.”
The program’s thoroughness has revealed compliance gaps that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. A prime example was fire prevention planning. While Ag Plus had emergency action plans and fire extinguisher maintenance programs, ResponsibleAg audits identified the need for comprehensive fire prevention plans—a critical safety component the company had overlooked.
“I didn’t have a fire prevention plan,” Hanson admits. “We had our fire extinguishers that we checked and did training on, but not the actual fire prevention plan.”
Building Accountability and Trust
One unique aspect of ResponsibleAg that Hanson particularly values is its built-in accountability system. As a certified auditor herself, she’s subject to third-party audits, which maintain the program’s integrity. “I can’t just let them skimp by because I’m an auditor,” she tells her team. “I can also get audited, and I like that — it keeps the whole program honest.”
This transparency has helped build trust with employees across Ag Plus locations. While nobody enjoys being audited, employees appreciate the fair, standardized approach. The program also empowers them to take ownership of compliance issues. Each audit question links directly to relevant regulations, enabling staff to research and resolve problems independently.
Immediate Access to Critical Information
ResponsibleAg’s resource library has become Hanson’s go-to reference for regulatory questions. When employees question safety requirements, she can quickly access the specific regulations. “My guys sometimes will ask me, ‘Lisa, are you making this up?’ I can answer, ‘No, right here’s the reg. Let’s look at it together.’”
This immediate access to regulatory information has proven invaluable for specialized agricultural operations like anhydrous ammonia handling, where ResponsibleAg provides comprehensive risk management process resources and compliance tools.
Long-Term Value and Industry Leadership
After seven years with ResponsibleAg, the return on investment is clear. The program has not only streamlined Ag Plus’s safety operations but positioned the company as an industry leader. The company now serves as a test pilot for new audit procedures, and leadership contributes grain industry expertise to ResponsibleAg’s board of directors.
“If somebody asked me about ResponsibleAg, I say do it in a heartbeat,” Hanson concludes. “It’s not hard to follow. The questions are very easy, and with the resources right there to find what the rest of the regulation says.”
For Ag Plus, ResponsibleAg certification represents more than regulatory compliance—it’s a comprehensive system that ensures every employee goes home safely while providing the confidence that comes from knowing best practices are being followed consistently across all operations.
ResponsibleAg is an industry-led certification program committed to helping agribusinesses properly store and handle farm input supplies. For more information, visit ResponsibleAg.org.
ResponsibleAg is proud to congratulate the following individuals who recently earned their ResponsibleAg Auditor credential:
“By becoming credentialed, these professionals have demonstrated their commitment to supporting continuous improvement and a strong culture of safety within their organizations and the broader industry,” says Daren Coppock, Agricultural Retailers Association President & CEO.
ResponsibleAg auditors assess up to 17 critical areas of a facility to ensure compliance with key federal environmental, health, safety, and security regulations. Using the secure ResponsibleAg portal and supported by a suite of tools, auditors conduct efficient, consistent, and credible audits.
“ResponsibleAg auditors play a crucial role in helping facilities identify and address potential risks before they become problems,” says Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute.
Learn more about ResponsibleAg and becoming a ResponsibleAg Auditor at https://www.responsibleag.org/become-an-auditor/.
ResponsibleAg is an industry-led certification program committed to helping agribusinesses properly store and handle farm input supplies. Participation underscores commitment to environmental, health, safety, and security regulations. ResponsibleAg is jointly operated by the Agricultural Retailers Association and The Fertilizer Institute.
For over a decade, ResponsibleAg has helped ag retailers across the country maintain compliance with regulated safety standards—supporting safer operations and stronger communities.
Hear directly from the experts in a new podcast from The Scoop featuring ResponsibleAg’s Industry Ambassador Tim McArdle and ARA CEO Daren Coppock. They dive into powerful case studies, highlighting how ResponsibleAg isn’t just a checklist—it’s a business asset that drives everyday success.
Whether you’re an ag professional, safety manager, or just curious about industry best practices, this podcast will deliver insights you won’t want to miss.
Listen now and explore how ResponsibleAg supports safety, compliance, and confidence.