February 14, 2008

Atlanta, IN - Beck's Hybrids, a family-owned seed company, located in Atlanta, Indiana is proud to announce Lee Rulon, Director of Marketing at Beck's Hybrids, as the recipient of the 2008 Crops and Soils Merit Award. The Crops and Soils Merit Award is given by the Indiana Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) on the basis of a distinct and outstanding contribution to Indiana Agriculture as related to the field of crops, soils or other agronomic lines. The award was presented to Mr. Rulon on February 7th at the ICIA annual banquet in Lafayette, IN. It is the highest honor that the association grants to an individual.

In 1972, Lee Rulon was hired as Beck's Hybrids Sales Manager and began to build one of the strongest networks of "Selling Dealers" in the seed industry. Through Lee's hard work and determination the Beck's dealer organization has grown and thrived in an era when it was questioned whether the farmer dealer would survive the rapidly changing seed industry. 

Lee Rulon has taken an active role in several organizations outside his normal duties at Beck's Hybrids. His involvement in Indiana Crop Improvement Association includes serving on various committees and in leadership roles on the board of directors from 1990-2004. Larry Svajgr, the associations Executive Director, remarks, "There are some individuals who just seem to have natural ability and skill as a leader and Lee is one of those."

Mr. Rulon's work with the Indiana Seed Trade Association dates back to its beginnings in the late 70's when Lee was instrumental in developing policies and leadership in the formative years. He served on the board and became President of the Association serving from 1994-1995. Today, Mr. Rulon serves on the Indiana Grain Indemnity Board where he continues as a representative for seed trade issues.

In the local community, Lee was selected for and has served on the Hamilton County Police Merit Board for over a dozen years. Doug Carter, Sheriff of Hamilton County adds his compliments, "You won't find a better citizen, a harder worker, or a more qualified leader than Lee Rulon."

The Indiana Crop Improvement Association, Inc. based in Lafayette, Indiana, exists to deliver unbiased, needed services to customers in the seed, grain, food, and related industries. As a non-profit, self-supporting agency, ICIA objectively carries out various seed programs including seed certification, laboratory testing and other quality assurance programs.

Beck's Hybrids is a family-owned and operated seed company that serves farmers throughout Indiana and selected counties in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. According to a recent media survey, Beck's ranks as the sixth largest seed company in the United States and the only one in the top six that is family-owned, making Beck's the largest retail family-owned seed company in the U.S.