DEKALB Awards Prize Chopper
During the 2011 Farm Progress Show in Illinois, DEKALB introduced a customized motorcycle commissioned to mark the company’s 100th anniversary. Over the past year the bike has been on tour throughout the country with the company placing the unique piece up for auction earlier this year. This week DEKALB announced that Rick Brandt, CEO of BRANDT, a seed company in Springfield, Illinois cast the winning bid. Brandt claimed his prize at the 2012 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. Brandt says he already has plans for his new prize…
“It’ll be on permanent display in our office in Springfield,” and adds when the occasional parade comes along he’ll ”take it for a spin.”
(L to R) Race car driver Justin Allgaier, BRANDT C.E.O. Rick Brandt, DEKALB brand lead Jason Hoag and Leslie Schaffer with the Red Cross.
Through multiple DEKALB fundraising opportunities, including the auction American farmers over the past year raised a grand total of 250-thousand dollars for the American Red Cross.
Click the following link to hear the full interview with Rick Brandt.
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DEKALB issued the following press release:
The DEKALB® brand’s custom 100th Anniversary Bike revved up the excitement at the 2011 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill., when the bike made its engine-roaring debut to a crowd of onlookers at the main gate of the show.
Today, the bike’s year-long tour comes full circle as Rick Brandt, CEO of BRANDT from Springfield, Ill., was announced the online auction’s highest bidder, at the 2012 Farm Progress® Show in Boone, Iowa. Through multiple DEKALB fundraising opportunities, including the chopper auction, American farmers raised a grand total of $250,000 for the American Red Cross. Jason Hoag, DEKALB Brand Lead and Rick Brandt, on behalf of America’s farmers, presented a check to Leslie Schaffer, Regional Chapter Executive Officer for American Red Cross, Greater Iowa Region.
“The American Red Cross is grateful for this generous donation and so honored to be a part of the celebration of DEKALB, with whom we share a history of providing for Americans.” said Schaffer. “When disasters strike, the Red Cross mobilizes volunteers and supplies into affected areas to shelter, feed and provide emotional support to disaster victims and responders. The support of DEKALB, Brandt and American farmers enables us to help heal communities and assist families in getting back on their feet.”
Mr. Brandt is proud to be the new owner of such a one-of-a-kind piece of DEKALB history.“On behalf of all the members of the BRANDT Team, we are thrilled to win the DEKALB anniversary bike,” said Mr. Brandt. “Next year is our 60th anniversary serving professional growers around the globe: What better way to celebrate the history of agriculture while helping the American Red Cross?”
When asked what aspect of the bike was his favorite, Mr. Brandt replied, “It just captures the independent spirit of the American farmer.”
Features of the bike include a vintage tractor-seat, winged-ear wheel spokes and a retro wood finish to represent the wooden agricultural crates used when DEKALB was founded 100 years ago in DeKalb County, Ill.
The DEKALB 100th Anniversary Bike, designed in 1912 style, pays homage to the DEKALB brand’s 100 year legacy of strong performance and industry leading innovation.
“It has been an exciting anniversary year for the DEKALB brand, and the celebration wouldn’t have been complete without the chopper,” said Hoag. “This bike was designed with farmers in mind, and it is those farmers that will be central to our mission and our success for the next 100 years.”
For more information about DEKALB, farmers can contact their local DEKALB Dealer, visit http://www.DEKALB.com and follow its business on http://www.facebook.com/DEKALB.
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: www.monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.
About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About BRANDT
A leading agricultural company, BRANDT consists of three divisions—Specialty Formulations, Retail Agronomy and Dealer Support—serving growers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. Innovation, technology and strong customer service are a few of the core beliefs that drive BRANDT today. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for maximum return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply.
