CONTACT:
Mark O’Neill, Media Relations Director
510 S. 31st Street , Camp Hill, PA 17001 , (717) 761-2740 or E-mail

For Immediate Release:  June 18, 2012

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Earns Four National Public Relations Awards

(Traverse City, MI) – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) was selected the winner of four public relations awards, including the prestigious Dave Lane Award for Media Relations Excellence, by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) during its annual Public Relations Conference in Traverse City, Michigan.

The Dave Lane Award recognizes the state Farm Bureau that does the best job of building and maintaining working relationships with members of the news media.  It marked the third time over the past four years that PFB won the award (in the under 80,000 member competition), which is presented in honor of past AFBF Director of Media Relations Dave Lane.

PFB also received awards for the Best Media Relations Event (combined competition among all state Farm Bureaus), Best Editorial or Column and Best Advertising Campaign or Spot.  PFB earned honorable mentions in the categories of Best Public Relations Campaign and Best Magazine.

In the Best Media Relations Event category, PFB was cited for its news conference that focused on clearing up misinformation about farming practices and highlighting the positive role Pennsylvania farmers play in maintaining and improving land and water resources.

The “Thoughts from our President” column, which appeared in PFB’s Keystone Country publication, was recognized in the Best Print Editorial or Column.  The editorial focused on the issue of youth working in agriculture and how proposed changes to labor regulations could limit the role of youth performing typical chores on family farms and threaten the future of young men and women returning to the family farm or working in agriculture-related businesses.

An advertising campaign promoting Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s health services won in the Best Advertising Campaign or Spot category.

Overall, PFB tied for second (with three other state Farm Bureaus) among all states in the total number of awards received with four.  Illinois, which competed in the above 80,000 member category, was the top award winner with five.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of more than 53,000 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.

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