Following up on the awards from the American Business Press Editors Assn. earlier this year, the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) announced the recipients of its 2024 Award Program. The TABPI program recognizes editorial and design excellence in B2B and trade media.

Strip-Till Farmer along with Lessiter Media’s other titles No-Till Farmer and Farm Equipment secured multiple awards, highlighting their exceptional editorial and technical contributions to the industry. Descriptions and links are included for each award below.

How-to Article (Silver Award)

Build a Fully Functional Roller Crimper on a Budget by Mackane Vogel and Michaela Paukner earned the National Silver Award in the “How-to Article” category.

Mackane Vogel, Associate Editor

Michaela Paukner, Former Managing Editor

This article teaches the readers a step-by-step guide on how to build a roller crimper for roughly 20% of the cost of a new brand-name crimper. The judges note, “Trade publishing at its best — a serious guide to helping readers to improve their business and a comprehensive step by step process with which to do it.”

Focus/Profile Article (Honorable Mention)

Noah Newman, Technology Editor

The article, “Strip-Till Innovators Boost Bottom Line & Soil Health with Twin-Row System," written by Noah Newman, was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Focus/Profile Article category. This article chronicles the transformation of Ryan and Melissa Shaw's 1,400-acre farm in Marlette, Michigan, with the support of their neighbor Bruce Brock. By adopting strip-till and twin-row planting techniques, the Shaws navigated a steep learning curve, guided by insights from the National Strip-Tillage Conference. Their efforts have notably enhanced soil health and crop yields, earning them the 2023 Strip-Till Innovator Award for their significant contributions to advancing strip-till methods and sustainable soil health practices.

3 Additional awards were also bestowed to Lessiter Media’s Farm Equipment Publication.

The article, "55 Years of Advancements in Farm Equipment," compiled and written by Mike and Frank Lessiter, was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Technical Article category. The in-depth timeline highlights the evolution of ag equipment over the past 55 years, with colorful reflections on the advancements that would go on to forever shape farming. For a new generation that has never operated machinery without guidance, this piece reminds all of the journey of the past and its key champions of innovation. This overview, intended to also show the possibilities that remain ahead, is a small excerpt of a larger "Timeline of Ag Equipment Firsts" compiled by the father-son duo over the past 15 years. It also invites readers to engage, challenge and discuss these innovations.

Kim Schmidt's July/August 2023 Farm Equipment editorial, "Stop Tolerating Jerks," was recognized with a National Silver Award in the “Editor’s Column” category. The judges praised Schmidt’s piece as an effective combination of humor and actionable business advice, noting, “Clearly this editor knows their reader well enough to have a little fun while making some serious business points. I think this strikes just the right tone for an editor’s column — humor plus actionable guidance.”

In this piece, still one of the most commented-on columns in the industry, Schmidt advocates for a strict "no a@$h@&*" policy in business, regardless of an employee’s performance. She shares compelling examples of companies that chose to part ways with high-performing yet toxic employees, leading to greater teamwork and bottom-line results. The column underscores the importance of prioritizing a positive work culture and collaboration over individual sales heroics.

The October/November 2023 issue of Farm Equipment – Celebrating 55 Years of Farm Equipment History earned a spot among the top 25 best single issues.

This 86-page issue, celebrating the 55th year anniversary of the magazine, featured a special history section that includes a novel approach to covering the last 55 years, and the profound achievements in a dynamic ag equipment industry. It included key milestones, dealer and manufacturer feedback/memories, personal anecdotes from current and former staff and insights from all corners of the industry – following an approach that helps subscribers “gauge the future by examining the past.”

Earlier this year No-Till Farmer and Farm Equipment editors were recognized by the American Society of Business Press Editors with regional awards in the association’s 2024 Azbee Awards of Excellence and have been announced as national finalists for the program as well.

No-Till Farmer and Former Managing Editor Michaela Paukner received a silver award in the feature series category for the 2023 No-Till Farmer Conservation Ag Operator Fellowship series. The series was also a finalist in the national competition.

The 4-part series followed Iowa no-tiller Loran Steinlage throughout the 2023 growing season, combining in-depth interviews, webinars, and phone discussions. It covered his innovative farming methods, technical setup of no-till planters, his role in farmer-to-farmer education and his evolving farm roles, with the final article featuring a custom illustration of his farm.

Farm Equipment editors received a gold award for its special section submission of the Shortline Legends hall of fame coverage from the September 2023 issue. The coverage was also named a finalist in the national competition.

This special section represents the inaugural class of Farm Equipment's Shortline Legends Hall of Fame. Before any writing could be done, the hall of farmers had to be selected, based on feedback and insights from the industry. This is the first honor of its sort that recognizes the manufacturers of specialty ag equipment. Coverage of each hall of famer was based on Farm Equipment staff research and interviews both in the past and currently.

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