AGCO’s 2024

Operator of the Year

To recognize standout application specialists, AGCO is searching for men and women across the country to take home the title of Operator of the Year. After all, we depend on them to protect countless acres of land, ensuring that food reaches every table across the nation. Each of your nominations gets us closer to recognizing the cream of the crop in this trade. 

Have someone in mind who fits the bill? Pay it forward by filling out a nomination below!

AGCO Operator of the Year 2024
2024 Hero
NOMINATE YOUR OPERATOR NOW.

To nominate your operator, just take a few minutes to tell us about how they go above and beyond in your application. If selected, your nominee could attend this year’s ARA Conference & Expo in Houston, Texas, to be crowned the winner and take home a new side-by-side UTV or cash equivalent. Just be sure to send your nomination for Operator of the Year by September 30. Thank you for your thoughtful nominations.

Nominate Download official rules

OPERATOR OF THE YEAR APPLICATION

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Nominators must be a legal resident of 50 U.S. / D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec), age 18+ and the age of majority in his/her state/province of residence* (*19+ in AL, BC, NE, NB, NL, NT, NS, NU and YT; 21+ in MS). Candidates must (i) be an employee or owner of an ag-retailer or other company that provides custom application of agricultural chemicals; (ii) legally reside in the 50 U.S. / D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec); and (iii) age 18+ and the age of majority* in his/her state/province of residence. Void in Quebec, outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and Canada and where prohibited. Nomination Period starts at 12:00:01 AM ET on 8/1/24; ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 9/30/24. For details on how to nominate a candidate, prizes and Official Rules, click here. There is no limit to the number of nominations a nominator may submit, however, a nominator may only submit one (1) nomination for any one (1) candidate. A Nominator may not submit a nomination for himself/herself.  Sponsors: AGCO Corporation, 4205 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA  30096 and AGCO Canada Limited, 515 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, S4N 6S1.
2024 Hero

Since 2006, AGCO has honored the hard work of ag retailers and custom applicators in North America with the Operator of the Year program. These dedicated men and women are evaluated based on their performance both on and off the field, including criteria such as skill, dedication, customer service, and community involvement. These professionals spend untold hours in the field every season, using technology advanced application machinery to apply fertilizer and crop protection products on millions of crop acres. This helps ensure growers/farmers achieve their best possible yield. They help feed the world, and AGCO believes it is important to recognize them year after year.

2023 AGCO’s Operator of the Year

previous winner

Congratulations to

Lee Pemberton

Lee Pemberton lives in Hallock, MN where he works at Makin’ Trax Contractors. Aside from over 25 years of hard work as an operator, he is a devoted father and grandfather, attending their various extracurricular activities and even including them in hunting trips. He consistently puts in over 5,000 hours a year working for his community’s volunteer ambulance and serves on the hospital board.

Lee Pemberton was crowned at last year’s ARA Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida, and took home a new side-by-side UTV or cash equivalent. Thank you to all our nominators last year.

We acknowledge and celebrate every hardworking applicator professional every day and we’re already looking forward to next year’s nominees.

2023 Operator of the Year Finalists

A very special thanks to our runner-ups Matt Keehr and Brian Leone! Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all of us at AGCO.