For Immediate Release:

Contact: William Whisler, Member Communications Director
717-724-9425 | wrwhisler@pfb.com

 

HERSHEY – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) has presented Butler County Farm Bureau member William Thiele with the 2022 Young Ag Professionals Excellence In Ag Award for Pennsylvania at the 72nd Annual Meeting in Hershey.

The Excellence In Ag Award recognizes young farm individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who compete for this prestigious award.  They are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement, and participation in Farm Bureau. Thiele will receive an expense-paid trip to compete in the national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico in January.

“William Thiele has showcased a willingness to branch out and implement new technology in farming and has found numerous ways to give back by sharing his experience with others,” PFB President Rick Ebert said. “His involvement in Farm Bureau has made a huge impact in our mission of advocating for agriculture to members of the public.”

Thiele has broken into the field as a sixth-generation dairy farmer in Butler County. At a young age, Thiele boasts an impressive resume filled with service, technological advancements, and impressive farming practices. His usage of drones on his family farm has helped push his farm into the future.

“I think that it puts my farm in a good spotlight to showcase how I can use something as simple as a drone or GPS equipment to help benefit my farm,” Thiele said. “My farm is a small farm, but you can still implement this technology no matter what size your operation is. You can benefit from this technology if you are willing to think outside the box and if you are willing to try new things and embrace the new things coming down the road.”

Thiele has served on the PA No-Till Alliance Board and is always looking for new and innovative ideas to lead the way on conservation. Thiele has also given back by volunteering his time to teach the next generation of farmers about how they can use drones to assist them in farming.

“I love talking about sustainability to other farmers and how no-till and cover cropping can be beneficial not just for my generation, but for the generations after us,” Thiele said. “I think that it is beneficial for us to stay sustainable.”

Thiele currently serves on the PFB Board of Directors representing District 15, which is comprised of Beaver/Lawrence, Butler and Mercer counties.

Hundreds of farmers from across the state attended Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 72nd Annual Meeting at the Hershey Lodge from Nov. 14-16, to set policy for the statewide organization on issues affecting farm and rural families.