Key Points Overview

• Ben Brand has been engaged in agricultural machinery teaching for over 20 years, providing hands-on instruction to students and helping them connect with industry certifications, employers, and technical colleges.
• Agricultural machinery courses help students develop technical skills, confidence, and problem-solving abilities, while preparing them to become the next generation of agricultural technicians and industry leaders.
• AGCO supports this talent delivery chain through educational cooperation, technician talent programs, and dealer training. For more information, please refer to AGTechnician.com.

Professor Brand has been teaching agricultural machinery for over 20 years, with his curriculum covering practical skills such as welding, manufacturing, small engine maintenance, electrical systems, construction, and operation of agricultural equipment. The nomination materials highlight that he places great emphasis on workshop safety, industry-recognized qualification certificates, and the connection between internships and careers for skilled technicians.

AGCO After-sales Technical Training Manager Ash Alt stated: "Agricultural machinery teachers help students develop the technical skills, confidence, and problem-solving abilities that are needed in our industry. Honoring educators like Ben Brand reflects AGCO's commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural technicians and industry leaders."

The selection criteria include excellence in teaching, impact on students, industry participation, leadership, and dedication. Brand is also the consultant for the Social Circle High School Future Farmers Association ( FFA ) branch, as well as a current annual teacher at the school. His students can obtain 10 hours of certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), participate in agricultural machinery competitions, and establish connections with local employers and technical colleges.

Brand represents: "Receiving this first award is a great honor. I hope that this recognition will bring more attention to the importance of agricultural machinery and the impact these projects have on students."

Brand will be recognized at the Georgia Professional Agricultural Teachers Association Summer Conference, the FFA State Convention in Georgia, and at the award luncheon held at the global headquarters in Duluth, AGCO. He will also receive a cash reward of $1,500.

For information on AGCO's educational cooperation, technician talent supply, and dealer training programs, please visit AGTechnician.com.

About AGCO

AGCO ( NYSE : AGCO ) is a global leader in the field of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology. AGCO adheres to a "farmers-first" strategy, creating value through its differentiated leading brands such as Fendt ™, Massey Ferguson ™, PTx ™, and Valtra ™. AGCO's high-performance equipment and intelligent agriculture solutions, including brand-neutral modification technologies and automated products, help farmers increase productivity while feeding the world in a sustainable manner. For more information, please visit www.agcocorp.com.