STIHL Inc. continues support with ninth year of sponsorship of the AFBF

(VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.) – STIHL Inc. is proud to continue its work to promote excellence, innovation and advancement in the agriculture industry with its ninth year of sponsoring the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Awards. Specifically, STIHL sponsors the Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions, which took place in Honolulu, Hawaii. The theme to this year’s event was “Navigating the Waves of Change.”
 
“We at STIHL are extremely proud to support the American Farm Bureau and expand our sponsorship in our ninth year to support all of the Young Farmers and Ranchers competitions and recognize the winners for their hard work and dedication to the industry,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “As a family-owned company, STIHL understands the significance of the Farm Bureau and the impact these young family farmers have, not only on our local communities, but the country as a whole. We believe it is important to help spread that message.”
 
The Achievement Award, the Discussion Meet, and the Excellence in Agriculture awards recognize farmers between the ages of 18-35 who demonstrate knowledge of and achievement in agriculture and commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. STIHL presented the three runners-up in each competition with an MS 290 STIHL FARM BOSS^® chain saw and a $5,000 U.S. savings bond. 
 
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau. Runners-up in the Achievement Award were Chad and Julie Carlton of Georgia, Travis and Renae Gebhart of South Dakota and Kirk and Stephanie Liefer of Illinois.
 
“We are grateful for STIHL’s decision to expand their sponsorship of the Young Farmer and Rancher competitions this year. Their sponsorship continues to provide support to not only our organization as a whole but the participants and winners of the competitions as well,” said Dan Durheim, executive director, American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “As an organization that believes in recognizing leadership in agriculture and community involvement, it is important for us to align with companies that share and are dedicated to our mission.”

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic. The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet were Jacob Andersen of Idaho, Katie Pratt of Illinois and Chelsea Good of Kansas.

“With the increasing age of the average producer in agriculture, cultivating new young leaders is key,” said Chelsea Good. “The Discussion Meet was an opportunity to discuss key agriculture issues and develop my skills to work cooperatively to help address these issues.”

The Excellence in Agriculture award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability, and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition were Jason and Paige Pratt of Virginia, Jillian Beaty of Wisconsin and Sharla Mortimer of Arizona.

For more information on the American Farm Bureau, visit http://www.fb.org/ and for more information on STIHL, visit http://www.stihlusa.com/.
 
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America for homeowners and professional landscapers*, as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the dealer locator on the STIHL website at www.stihlusa.com.
 
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2011 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
 
STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand, the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors.
 
 
 
About American Farm Bureau Federation / Farm Bureau
AFBF is the unified national voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities. Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization governed by and representing farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement and, thereby, to promote the national well-being. Farm Bureau is local, county, state, national and international in its scope and influence and is non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-secret in character. Farm Bureau is the voice of agricultural producers at all levels.