BASF and NAAA partnership supports the future of agricultural pilots

RENO NV, December 9, 2013 – Three up-and-coming agricultural pilots were awarded scholarships sponsored by BASF and the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) to help them turn their dreams of becoming professional agricultural pilots into reality.

Kole Pederson of Crookston, Minnesota; Richard Conrad of Kiel, Wisconsin; and Heidi Stoeppler of Bakersfield, California, were awarded NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000, respectively, and were honored during the 47th Annual NAAA Convention and Exposition kickoff breakfast today in Reno, Nevada. Stoeppler is the first female recipient of the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship.

The scholarships are part of a longstanding partnership between BASF and NAAA to support the futures of students pursuing careers in the aerial application industry. Each year, two budding pilot trainees are awarded a scholarship; however, this year, three deserving applicants were selected.

“These passionate aviation students exemplify what it means to work hard and follow your dreams,” said Gary Fellows, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager, BASF, and member of the National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation’s Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (NAAREF PAASS) Program Development Committee. “The scholarships offer the students an opportunity to pursue their goals and continue to move towards becoming invaluable members of the aerial application industry.”

Pederson is enrolled in the University of Minnesota, Crookston, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation with an emphasis in agricultural aviation. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement from the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation. To qualify for the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship, applicants have to be sponsored by an NAAA member operator. Pederson was sponsored by Tom Rongen of AgriMAX LLC in Fisher, Minnesota.

Conrad is enrolled in the Fox Valley Technical College’s Aircraft Avionics program. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement, as well as a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCAP) Commercial Applicator’s License. Dean Heimermann of Countryside Aviation LLC in Chilton, Wisconsin, sponsored him.

Stoeppler is training with the Bakersfield Flying Club as she builds time toward her private pilot certificate. She is sponsored by Jon Slikker of Vince Dusters in Bakersfield, California.

“BASF has been a major supporter of NAAA over the years, and we appreciate their continued commitment to supporting the long-range growth of the agricultural aviation industry,” NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore said. “The grant that allowed us to establish the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship has helped ensure that the pipeline remains well stocked with competent and capable professional ag pilots.”

BASF is committed to the agricultural aviation industry

BASF continued its support of the NAAA Annual Convention and Exposition in Reno as a platinum-level sponsor, which also included sponsoring the kickoff breakfast. In addition to this sponsorship, BASF works with NAAA and NAAREF year-round to increase applicator safety and other industry advancements. In 2013, BASF continued sponsoring the Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) Incentive Program, which encourages aerial applicators to participate in Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in clinics offered around the country.

During these fly-ins, applicators work with trained analysts to test equipment, boost performance, increase applicator knowledge and stay up to date with legal requirements and certifications. In 2013 alone, 361 aircraft had their calibration checked at 57 fly-in workshops held across the U.S., enabling aerial applicators to increase the safety of their aircraft.

In addition to these programs and partnerships, BASF continues to help advance the aerial application industry by developing fungicide chemistries labeled for aerial application. In recent years, BASF developed Headline AMP^® fungicide, a combination fungicide specifically developed for corn growers who want maximum protection from foliar disease, as well as improved Plant Health benefits. In 2012, BASF introduced Priaxor^® fungicide for soybeans, which provides longer-lasting disease protection, consistent performance and Advanced Plant Health benefits.

“At BASF, it’s our goal to help growers get the most out of every acre,” Fellows said. “We appreciate partnering with industry leaders like NAAA to support aerial applicators who have the same goal.”

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Headline AMP and Priaxor are registered trademarks of BASF.

About BASF’s Crop Protection division

With sales of around €4.7 billion in 2012, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. Its portfolio also includes technologies for seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on our social media channels: http://www.agro.basf.com/agr/AP-Internet/en/content/news_room/social_media/index.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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