(VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.) – STIHL Inc. is proud to continue its work to promote excellence, innovation and advancement in the agriculture industry with its eight-year sponsorship of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions, which took place January 9-12 in Atlanta, Ga.
Announced at the AFBF 92nd annual meeting, the awards recognized farmers between the ages of 18-35 who demonstrated 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 $6,000 U.S. savings bond. STIHL, a Gold level sponsor of the annual meeting, also sponsored the Dave Weatherhead Timberworks lumberjack show as the primary entertainment at the Foundation Fundraiser. Over 3,000 Farm Bureau members attended the event, which also featured a performance by country music artist Justin Moore, courtesy of Ram Trucks.
“We at STIHL are honored to recognize the winners and participants among the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and the Excellence in Agriculture competitions for their hard work and dedication to the field,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “We believe in supporting individuals and organizations that strive to improve the future of agriculture with such knowledge and leadership as those who participated in this competition.”
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. Colin Johnson of Iowa won the Discussion Meet. He took home a 2011 Ram pickup, courtesy of Ram Trucks, plus free registration to the 2011 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in February. The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Daniel Martin of Mississippi, Charlee Doom of New York and Loni H. Rikard of South Carolina. Each runner-up in the Discussion Meet received a $6,000 savings bond and a STIHL FARM BOSS chain saw, both courtesy of STIHL Inc.
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.
Chris and Jennie Simms of Virginia won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They received a 2011 Ram pickup, courtesy of Ram Trucks, and free registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference. The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Brian and Dacia Brown of Illinois, Ken and Malissa Schentzel of Minnesota and Shawn and Vanessa Duren of Tennessee. Each runner up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition received a $6,000 savings bond and a STIHL FARM BOSS chain saw, courtesy of STIHL Inc.
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 2010 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.
