(Atlanta, GA) -- STIHL Inc. and Ariens Company teamed with the National FFA Organization (FFA), a youth leadership and agricultural education organization with a membership of over 500,000, to bring the top three teams from the FFA Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event (NLCDE) for high school students to the Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) Student Career Days. The PLANET event is a collegiate-level competition being held at the North Metro Technical College in Atlanta, Ga. March 27-29, 2008.
The NLCDE is held at the National FFA convention, which hosts over 50,000 students a year with four days of activities, competitions and displays. In addition to team honors, individual medals, and scholarships, the top three teams were invited to attend the Student Career Days competition, courtesy of STIHL and co-sponsor Ariens Company.
Taking top honors at the NLCDE this year was a team from Perry High School in Perry, Ga. Team members Ashton Jones, Tyson Strickland, Tabitha Williford, and Jordan Wood, coached by Argene Claxton, placed first in competition against 40 other teams. The team from Washington County High school in Washington, Kan. earned second place honors, and Southern Alamance High School in Graham, N.C. took third.
Saturday, March 29th these top three high school teams will compete as an exhibition in three events, Woody Ornamental Plant Identification, Safety Management, and Turf & Turf Pest Identification. Their scores will be tallied and announced during Sunday’s closing ceremonies.
STIHL Inc. and Ariens Company understand that the future of the green industry depends on the quality of education that tomorrow’s industry leaders receive today.
“Organizations like PLANET and FFA perform a critical service in helping prepare the future stewards of the Green Industry to manage the challenges ahead for the industry and for the environment,” stated Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc. “STIHL is especially pleased to be a part of the PLANET Student Career Days and watch these college and high schools students, the future of this industry, demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen career paths.” STIHL has been the top level sponsor of Student Career Days for the past eight years.
Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Company, confirmed the importance of these student organizations in the future of the industry. “Ariens Company believes in our leaders of tomorrow, and we are happy to support them in functions such as FFA and the PLANET Student Career Days events. We have been actively involved in the Student Career Days event for the past three years and will continue to help build the future of our industry. It is exciting to see the FFA students take such an active role in this event as it will continue to bring new opportunities to professional landscape companies.”
The PLANET event is considered a significant recruiting opportunity by the numerous green industry companies that attend the event each year.
“We want these young people to see that not only can they pursue their passion at the high school and college levels, but that there is a viable career path ahead of them,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL is the world’s largest selling brand of chainsaws and cut-off machines 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 http://www.stihlusa.com/.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to http://www.stihlcareers.com/. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
About FFA
The agricultural science education program is built on the three core areas of classroom/laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities/opportunities. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. FFA represents the relevancy to the core areas offering students opportunities that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Founded in 1928, the FFA organization represents a large diversity of over 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. More than 7,000 FFA chapters are currently in existence.
About Ariens
Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wis., Ariens Company is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial use. The company’s premium brands include Ariens Sno-Thro® and Ariens zero-turn mowers for consumers, Gravely®, EverRide® and Great Dane® commercial lawn equipment for professional landscape contractors, as well as National specialty mowers and Locke® reel mowers for the golf, turf, and sports turf industries. Visit http://www.ariens.com/ for more information.
About PLANET
PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. PLANET is an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management contractors, design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers. PLANET provides its members with a good business foundation to help them evaluate, plan, and better manage their companies. Member firms have direct access to marketing tools, industry specific business publications, updates on legislative issues, and networking opportunities that can assist them in becoming more profitable. Visit http://www.landcarenetwork.org/ for more information.
