Nominations are now open for the Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year 2018.

Now in their fourth year, the awards were established by the Amenity Forum and seek to recognise the high levels of professionalism and standards in the sector.

Dr Ruth Mann, Head of research at STRI with the winner of the 2017 Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year, Nathan Hume at BTME in January

There are different categories for entries and the overall winner will have a choice of three fantastic prizes, including a trip to a US turf or amenity show, or £2000 worth of products. Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, and supported by BASIS, the Awards were established to further promote high standards of operation standards by sharing and disseminating the best practice employed by these individuals.

A record number of entries were received for the 2017 Awards with the overall winner announced as Nathan Hume, Contracts Manager and Ecologist for national grounds maintenance experts, SH Goss Ltd. Nathan received his award at BTME in January 2018, following the announcement of the three principal category winners at the Amenity Forum Annual Conference in October 2017. Nathan chose a trip to the USA as his prize and will fly to Louisville, Kentucky in October, to visit the Green Industry & Equipment Expo.

He said, “Just taking part in the awards was a great experience. As with all operations, it’s important to review and appraise what we do and how we can continually improve. The recognition of the awards is good for our company and for our customers to appreciate the effort that goes in to achieving a great result. As well as the awesome chance to visit the US.”

Talking about the Awards, Amenity Forum’s independent Chairman, Professor John Moverley said: “Past winners have demonstrated the high level of competence and attention to detail among sprayer operators. They have showed the skills necessary to get the best possible results from every application, and how to achieve it safely with due care for the environment."

Organisations and companies are encouraged to nominate candidates in addition to self-nomination.

Entries and nominations are invited from sprayer operators in three categories:

• Sports turf - Using a knapsack/boom sprayer
• Landscape and Industrial - Using a vehicle sprayer
• Landscape and Industrial - Using a knapsack sprayer

Each category winner will receive a trophy and the overall winner across the three categories will win the prestigious accolade of National Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year along with the choice of three prizes:

• Flights, accommodation and entry to GCSAA 2019 San Diego, California
• Flights, accommodation and entry to GIE Expo 2019 Louisville, Kentucky
• ICL/Syngenta products to the value of £2,000

To enter or nominate, download the application form or enter online via the Amenity Forum website

Entries and nominations need to be made by 30 June 2018. After submitting an application form, successful entrants will be invited to answer a short questionnaire. Selected category finalists are judged on best practice and innovative ideas to improve and enhance spraying operations.

Category finalists are invited to the Amenity Forum Conference in October, with the overall winner announced at the BIGGA BTME event next January.