Application operator from Hallock, Minnesota, recognized for skill, dedication, customer service, and community involvement.

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, named Lee Pemberton of Makin’ Trax Contractors in Hallock, Minnesota, the 2023 Operator of the Year at the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida, on November 29, 2023. The annual award from AGCO’s Application team recognizes the skills, dedication, and customer service demonstrated by application professionals to their local communities.

“AGCO celebrates all applicator operators for the critical services they provide our farmers and food supply,” said David Fickel, Application Senior Marketing Manager for AGCO’s Fendt^® brand. “Lee Pemberton and all our finalists are great representatives of the dedicated professionals who work long hours to ensure healthy yields across so many farms in the U.S. AGCO is proud to be associated with these men and women and recognize them with this award.”

Lee is well-known and respected by his colleagues at Makin’ Trax Contractors, who nominated him as Operator of the Year. His experience as a farmer and nearly 30 years as a professional applicator have provided valuable real-world knowledge that his co-workers draw on throughout the year. Lee was recognized for his ability to care for his equipment and his deep field knowledge, as well as for the guidance and consideration he provides his colleagues. Jason Volk, Lee’s supervisor, noted “he’s been in all the fields around here at one time or another, and he’s always happy to help make sure our team is in the right place with the right equipment and product.” Lee is also very active in his community, once serving as a hospital board member and continuing to devote thousands of hours each year as a member of the local ambulance squad.

Matt Keehr of Centra Sota Co-op in Pierz, Minnesota, and Brian Leone of Leone Grain & Supply in Arlington, Illinois, were also Operator of the Year finalists and attended the event in Orlando. “I was just honored to be nominated alongside Matt and Brian,” Lee said. “They’re both such talented operators and good people; our profession is really very well represented by them!”

For more information about Operator of the Year or application equipment from AGCO, visit AGCOaward.com, ApplyLikeAPro.com and Fendt.com.

Fendt is a registered trademark of AGCO.

About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers customer value through its differentiated brand portfolio, including core brands like Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson®, Precision Planting®, and Valtra®. Powered by Fuse® smart farming solutions, AGCO’s full line of equipment and services help farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $12.7 billion in 2022. For more information, visit www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information, and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR.

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“AGCO celebrates all applicator operators for the critical services they provide our farmers and food supply,” said David Fickel, AGCO. “Lee represents all the hard-working dedicated professionals who ensure healthy yields in farms across the US."