Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Farm Bureaus earned two of only six Pinnacle Awards given to states for program and membership achievement at the American Farm Bureau Federations annual convention in Orlando. The Pinnacle Award is the highest award a state Farm Bureau can earn. But that wasn't all of their trove.

PFB also won the New Horizon Award for an innovative new tire sales and service program administered by PFB's Safemark Division. PFB received "Awards for Excellence" in all six program activity areas, including Education and Outreach, Leadership Development, Membership Initiatives, Member Services, Policy Development and Implementation and Public Relations and Communications.

DOUBLE-WIN: Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert proudly grasps two top awards earned by the Keystone State organization.

It also earned "President's Awards" in three program areas, including Education and Outreach, Policy Development and Implementation and Public Relations and Communications.  The President's Award for each program area is presented to state Farm Bureaus who have reached membership goal and achieved the highest score among peer group states who have earned an Excellence Award.

"The awards shine a light on the hard work and dedication of our grassroots farmer volunteers and organization staff," said PFB President Rick Ebert.  "It takes a huge team effort to achieve positive changes and address the numerous pressing issues affecting agriculture and farm families across Pennsylvania."

And, PFB's educational non-profit organization (Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation) received another two awards from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. It included the Scholar Award for providing the highest level of donations within its membership group, and the Apex Award for increasing total investment in the Foundation by 10% or more compared to the previous year. All total, Pennsylvania hauled home 13 awards.

Other Northeast state honors
Awards of Excellence were presented to states for each membership-sized group that achieved quota and demonstrated superiority. Massachusetts topped all state totals with six awards; Pennsylvania earned three. Other Northeast winners included:

* Connecticut was recognized in these categories: Education and Outreach; Leadership Development; Member Services; Policy Development and Implementation; and Public Relations and Communications

* Maryland was recognized for these categories: Education and Outreach; Leadership Development; Member Services; Membership Initiatives; Policy Development and Implementation; and Public Relations and Communications

* New York was recognized for: Education and Outreach; Leadership Development; Membership Initiatives; Policy Development and Implementation; and Public Relations and Communications

* Rhode Island earned the President's Award for: Education and Outreach.