For the second time in the last three years, a Southern States feed mill has been named best in the nation. Barber Feed Mill, in Cleveland, was designated Feed Mill of the Year for 2009 by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). The Barber mill also won the award in 1998.
This year’s honor marks only the second time in the 25-year history of the competition that a single mill has received the top award more than once.
The Southern States mill in Park City, Ky. won Feed Mill of the Year in 2007.
The Feed Mill of the Year award is co-sponsored by AFIA and Feedstuffs magazine. The program is designed not only to recognize overall excellence in feed manufacturing operations but to encourage overall improvement in the feed manufacturing industry.
A new grading system, instituted in 2007, provides valuable feedback to every plant that enters the competition. Increased safety, quality, regulatory compliance, operating efficiencies and overall industry awareness of food safety are promoted, and as companies compete, their operations continue to improve and the overall image of the feed industry is enhanced.
More than 100 mills throughout the U.S. submitted entries in the 2009 competition.
Southern States’ Barber feed mill manufactures more than 90 thousand tons of feed a year, with about 60 percent bagged and the remainder in bulk feeds.
According to Bill Monroe, Manager of Feed Mill Operations for Southern States, the company has participated in the annual awards program for many years, “but it always recharges our efforts when the industry recognizes one of our mills as the best in the nation.”
Established in 1923, Southern States has more than 300,000 farmer-members. As one of the nation’s largest agricultural cooperatives, the Richmond, Va.-based firm provides a wide range of farm inputs, including fertilizer, seed, livestock feed and pet food, animal health supplies and petroleum products, as well as other items for the farm and home.
The cooperative serves its members and non-member customers through some 1,200 retail outlets in the eastern U.S.
Visit www.southernstates.com for more information.
S.A. Sloop recognizes employees
S.A. Sloop Heating and Air Conditioning, located at 705 W. Ryder Ave., Landis, recently recognized employees’ accomplishments.
Ronnie Osian, Service Technician for S.A. Sloop Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. recently earned certification from North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) as a Service Technician for heating and air conditioning equipment and systems.
NATE is an independent, third-party organization that develops and promotes excellence in the installation and service of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment by recognizing high-quality industry technicians through voluntary testing and certification.
Ronnie Osian earned his certification by passing the stringent NATE exam last month. The exam reflects a consensus industry opinion on what the average technician should know in order to effectively install and service heating and air conditioning equipment and systems.
Osian lives in Rockwell, with his wife, Jennifer, and children Devin Madden and Haley Osian. He has more than 14 years of experience working with heating and air conditioning equipment and systems.
For more information, call 704-857-5684.
First Bank branches host ‘Cookies for a Cause’ fundraiser
ALBEMARLE ó First Bank recently donated $1,100 to the Charlotte affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The funds were raised through a new “Cookies for a Cause” fundraiser launched at Stanly and Cabarrus County branches.
Through sales of Otis Spunkmeyer’s “The Pink Cookie” and First Bank’s own “Fight Like a Girl” T-shirts, employees raised money and awareness among its communities to support breast cancer research.
First Bank’s fundraising efforts were spearheaded by Albemarle Branch Manager Angela Krol, whose mother is currently fighting breast cancer.
First Bank is committed to supporting those causes and events that strengthen the communities First Bank calls home. Through numerous donations, sponsorships and volunteer hours, First Bank supports community service, educational and charitable efforts across the region.
To learn more about First Bank, visit www.FirstBancorp.com.