New Century Farmer Conference Prepares Young Farmers for Success in the 21st Century

The National FFA Organization is now accepting applications for its 2012 New Century Farmer conference.

This exclusive, highly competitive conference is open to college of agriculture students who intend to pursue careers in production agriculture after college. Those selected to attend the conference will be among the first in the nation to learn about the latest technological developments in the agriculture industry, and they will receive business management advice from top industry leaders. The program will also help students develop a nationwide network of industry professionals and colleagues.

The conference is free to those students who are selected and will take place July 8-14 in Johnstown, Iowa. The deadline for applications is March15 at 5 p.m. EST. Only the top applicants will be selected to participate. Potential participants can learn more about the program and download an application at www.ffa.org/collegiate.

The conference is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; Case IH; CSX Corporation; and Farm Credit as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Successful Farming is a media partner of the conference.

About Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

About Case IH
Case IH is a global leader in agricultural equipment, committed to collaborating with its customers to develop the most powerful, productive, reliable equipment - for those who demand more. With headquarters in the United States, Case IH has a network of dealers and distributors that operates in over 160 countries. Case IH provides agricultural equipment systems, flexible financial service offerings and parts and service support for professional farmers and commercial operators through a dedicated network of professional dealers and distributors. Productivity enhancing products include tractors; combines and harvesters; hay and forage equipment; tillage tools; planting and seeding systems; sprayers and applicators; and site-specific farming tools. Case IH is a brand of CNH (NYSE: CNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Group (FIA:MI).

About CSX Corporation
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at the company's website, www.csx.com.

About Farm Credit
For 95 years, Farm Credit has been a national provider of credit and related services to rural America through a cooperative network of customer-owned lending institutions and specialized service organizations. Created by Congress in 1916, the Farm Credit System provides more than $175 billion in loans and leases to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, aquatic producers, timber harvesters, agribusinesses, and agricultural and rural utility cooperatives. For more information about the Farm Credit System, please visit www.farmcredit.com.

About Successful Farming
Successful Farming (www.agriculture.com) is a multi-media business that serves the diverse information needs of rural and farm families. Its editorial mission is to serve the business, production and family information needs of families who make farming and ranching their business. Established in 1902, Successful Farming was the first magazine published by Meredith Corporation. Currently, Successful Farming reaches more than one million readers with each issue, and is one of the most recognizable brands in the agricultural industry. Its Web site, Agriculture Online (www.agriculture.com), established in 1995, was one of the first agricultural websites in America. In addition to the magazine and Web site, Successful Farming properties include the Successful Farming Radio Magazine®, Successful Farming Data Solutions, Successful Farming Machinery Show, SF Market Research Solutions, and custom publishing.

About The National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 540,739 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,489 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online (www.ffa.org), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nationalffa), on Twitter (http://twitter.com/nationalffa) and FFA Nation (http://ffanation.ffa.org).

1.26.2012