STIHL INC. INVESTS IN FUTURE OF GREEN INDUSTRY
Cultivates Tomorrows Workforce Through FFA Career Development Sponsorship

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

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. Business is “blooming” in the Green Industrya trend that is likely to continue well into the next decade according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thats why groups such as the National FFA (FFA), a youth leadership and agricultural education organization with more than 490,000 members, are vital to the future of the industry.

For the past four years, STIHL Inc. has actively supported the National FFA by exhibiting at its annual convention, as well as sponsoring the FFA Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event (CDE). The national NLCDE championship is held at the annual convention, which hosts more than 50,000 students each year with four days of activities, competitions and displays in conjunction with an industry-wide career fair.

“STIHLs goal is to become directly involved in the education of young people to prepare them for careers in the landscaping, turf management and outdoor power equipment industries,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “We continue to support 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.”

The FFA Nursery and Landscape CDE is extremely challenging and demanding. Students not only compete in knowledge based areas such as plant identification and resource planning, but also in more business oriented areas such as salesmanship, business letter writing, and team project solving. “I have been a judge in this event for the past two years,” said Phelps. “Each year, I am amazed by the quality of the ideas presented by these young people and would like to hire a few on the spot, if I could.”

With more than 41 teams competing in this years NLCDE, the team from Ramseur, North Carolina placed first. Team members included Dustin Ritter, Matt Swaim, Brandon Smith, Wesley Corder and were coached by Raymond Caviness.

To further impact students and educators, STIHL proactively developed a technical training curriculum for two- and four-cycle engine operation based on programs presently in place for STIHL dealers and service technicians. The materials were distributed free of charge to those FFA chapters and teachers competing in the Nursery and Landscape CDE this year and are available for purchase by other FFA chapters and teachers.

“Manufacturers have significant resources they can use to make a positive difference in the lives of young people and the future of our industry,” Phelps added. “STIHLs contributions and participation with the FFA and other educational programs stem from our belief that we have a role in the education of our nations future leaders.”

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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