Wright congratulates employee

ROCKVILLE, Ind. — Wright Implement Co., Inc., with John Deere dealerships in Rockville, Williamsport and Crawfordsville, Ind., would like to congratulate Ralph Emery on his training accomplishments through the John Deere University EDUCATE Training program.

Wright Implement participates in a comprehensive training program with Deere to help their employees reach certain standards of expertise. Emery, parts salesman at the Crawfordsville store, achieved the Advanced Level of recognition for the position of Parts & Service Sales Representative program. These levels of achievement were accomplished by completing extensive training, and Emery received a special plaque of recognition.

Hoosier grower gives back

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Farmer Keith Berry was recently honored by Indiana Prairie Farmer Magazine as a Master Farmer for 2010. While the award recognizes his commitment and contributions to agriculture, it is also a recognition of the many ways this local man gives back in Putnam County.

Berry raises corn and soybeans near Greencastle, and operates a 135-sow farrow-to-finish operation with his son, Brian. He has served in leadership in several capacities and is also a dedicated volunteer, earning the Blue and Gold Award from South Putnam FFA and serving as vice president of Putnam County Council.

He also provides leadership on the Co-Alliance board of directors. He has served for many years in this capacity, and was nominated for the Master Farmer award by fellow director Jim Lankford.

FMC promotes Young

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — FMC Corp. announced the promotion of Randy Young to the position of Midwest Regional Business Manager in the company’s North America Crop (NAC) Field Sales Group, Agricultural Products Division.

Young joined FMC as a strategic account executive in 2008. Prior to joining FMC, he worked for Rosen’s, Inc. as the vice president of marketing. He also held various positions with American Cyanamid.
He earned his bachelor’s of science in agribusiness from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. Young will be based out of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Bratter USGC develop. director

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is pleased to announce Rebecca Bratter accepted the position of director of development. Bratter will aid the council in developing strategies and managing programs to obtain market access and foster sales of U.S. grain and grain products in specific emerging international markets.

She comes from the U.S. Wheat Associates, where she served as director of trade policy and government affairs for the past four years. Prior to that position, Bratter held various roles at The Nature Conservancy, Private Agencies Collaborating Together (PACT), Family Health International and Management Health International.

21 in Iowa Corn Leadership

JOHNSTON, Iowa — Twenty-one Iowans from a wide range of backgrounds have been named to the new Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement And Development (I-LEAD) class that will begin meeting after the 2010 harvest.

I-LEAD was developed and is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and the Iowa Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA).
The goal of the two-year program is to provide Iowa’s talented men and women with the tools they need to succeed as leaders and spokespeople for agriculture.

Participants in I-LEAD Class IV, selected through an application and selection process, include: Bart Boehm, Fontanelle; Erin Brenneman, Wellman; Todd Coffelt, Urbandale; Benjamin Furhman, West Des Moines; Todd Gonnerman, Milford; Dennis Heemstra, Primghar; Kyle Jensen, Neola; Terry Johnston, Parkersburg; Will Jones, Sioux Rapids; Mitch Kennedy, Cumberland; Steve Killpack, Logan; Emiliano Lerda, Urbandale; Grant Menke, Ankeny; Ben Rahe, Webster City; Keith Rohwer, Paulina; Brandon Schaaf, Tabor; Maddison Sieck, Glenwood; Drew Sponheim, St. Ansgar; Katie Stutsman, Ames; Jill Vander Veen, Hartley; and Jeff Winslow, West Des Moines.