STIHL INC. CULTIVATING THE LANDSCAPE OF TOMORROW
FFA Career Development Sponsorship Builds a Bridge to Green Industrys Future

Date: December 16, 2004
Release Date: IMMEDIATELY

Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. John F. Kennedy once said, "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource." STIHL Inc. understands the future of the green industry depends on the quality of education that tomorrows industry leaders receive today.

Thats why STIHL Inc. teamed with the National FFA Organization (FFA), a youth leadership and agricultural education organization with a membership of over 450,000, to sponsor the 2004 FFA Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event (NLCDE) for high school students at the National FFA Convention held in Louisville, Ky. The convention hosts over 50,000 students a year with four days of activities, competitions and displays.

Over 190 students from across the country represented their high school teams in the two-day NLCDE events. These 23 different events focus on all aspects of the landscape industry with heavy emphasis on professional and personal development. Students must display knowledge and skills in producing, marketing, utilizing and maintaining landscape plants, as well as theory and practical application of related products, equipment and services. The events test both team and individual performance.

After the dust settled, it was the team from Bear Creek, North Carolina placing first in the competition against a field of 40 teams. Team members included Daniel Douglas, Ryan Lambert, Stephanie Lyons and Carrie Scott and were coached by Julian Smith. These four future professionals also took the top-four individual honors making it a clean sweep for the North Carolina contingency.

“STIHL is proud to partner with FFA in its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “Often Americas young people are portrayed as being lazy or not caring about their future. The young people we meet as part of our involvement with FFA nationwide know what road they are on and they are moving forward at full speed. The landscaping, turf management and outdoor power equipment industries need people like this now, more than ever.”

FFA holds 23 career development events and activities to recognize members who excel in either team or individual competitions at the local, district, regional, state and national levels. National event winners receive scholarships, national convention honors, sponsor and peer recognition and media publicity.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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