NAMA announces award winners.

NAMA has named two award winners, the Agribusiness Leader of the Year and the NAMA Marketer of the Year. Both awards will be presented at the 2004 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 14-16 in Kansas City.

Bernie Staller, Chief Operating Officer of the National FFA Organization will be presented with the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award, NAMA's highest honor. This award honors an outstanding leader in agribusiness, education, government service or other related areas.

During his 13-year tenure of the half million member National FFA Organization, Staller provided visionary leadership to address challenges faced by the FFA in an industry experiencing dramatic and permanent change. Staller's dedication to agricultural education is evident in the changes he guided within FFA to keep the organization vibrant and focused on youth development. His respect in the agriculture industry is manifested through the strong corporate and individual support he received for the National FFA Foundation. Staller's impact on the lives of FFA members will bear fruit for generations.

NAMA Marketer of the Year.

NAMA recognizes its active members with senior management of marketing and/or sales responsibilities with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. This year, Dr Raymond Hoyum, vice president, market development and communications, IMC Global will receive this award.

Over the last three years, Dr. Hoyum has spearheaded a soil fertility education program known as Back-to-Basics. This program has helped revitalize a stagnant fertilizer market when most though nothing could be done.