Feed Mill of the Year Applications Available Online

08 Sep 2008

by: Anne Keller

ARLINGTON, VA., Sept. 8, 2008 – Applications for the American Feed Industry Association’s 2008 Feed Mill of the Year award are available online beginning today. The Feed Mill of the Year program recognizes two feed mills—an overall winner and a runner-up plant—for overall excellence each year. This is the first year AFIA has partnered with Feedstuffs to promote the enhanced program.

The deadline to complete applications is Sept. 30. Participation is limited to feed mills with current AFIA memberships.

“The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to work closely with Feedstuffs to promote the Feed Mill of the Year program beginning this year,” said Joel Newman, AFIA president and C.E.O. “We are proud to secure a long-term commitment with Feedstuffs, and I am confident a large number of feed mills will apply to receive this distinguished honor.”

“Feedstuffs is excited to be working with AFIA in recognizing the feed industry’s finest, and as a publication serving the industry for 80 years, we are fully committed to providing the editorial coverage worthy of this prestigious recognition,” said Sarah Muirhead, Feedstuffs editor and publisher.

To apply, feed mill operators must link to the online application; the URL is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=yUe82daCGKH77UIcIzUxOA_3d_3d and also may be reached from AFIA’s home page (www.afia.org) or Feedstuffs’ home page (www.feedstuffs.com). New this year, applicants may stop and start the application process without losing the data already entered. This improvement should be a great help to individuals responsible for completing the application, according to Keith Epperson, AFIA vice president of manufacturing and training.

In the past, Epperson said, the application had to be completed at one time, a system that did not leave room for error if applicants were interrupted to handle other matters at their plants. Applicants are urged to print a copy of the completed form for their own files.

The application fee is $35 per facility. If company officials wish to submit applications for more than one facility, they should multiply the $35 fee by the number of facilities applying for the award. Checks should be mailed to AFIA at 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916, Arlington VA 22201. To ensure payment is credited properly, please type “FMOTY” in the memo line of the check prior to mailing it.

Epperson said once applications are processed and scored, site visits of the finalists will take place over several weeks in October. The winner and runner-up will be announced in early 2009. The top two feed mill facilities will be permitted to use appropriate logos for one year to promote their accomplishments.

The Southern States Cooperative plant in Park City, Ky., was the 2007 Feed Mill of the Year; the Cargill plant in Seguin, Texas, was the runner-up.

If you have questions specific to the application or the application process, contact Epperson at kepperson@afia.org or (703) 558-3568.

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