Photo courtesy of Arkansas Farm Bureau
A Baxter County business was honored during the Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 89th annual convention in Little Rock on Nov. 30. Anvil Metals and Fabrication (AMF) was the winner of the Arkansas Ag Innovation Challenge and was voted as the People’s Choice Award winner for its presentation during the event’s trade show.
AMF was founded last year by Rob Conner, Cody Marquis, Trey Wilkerson and Damian Schilling after Conner and his wife purchased a welding shop north of Gassville. The company has since patented a tractor bucket attachment with folding forks, hay spikes, brush guards and other tools for use on farms and in rural areas. Conner volunteers as the career technical education coordinator for Mountain Home Public Schools, and Marquis and Schilling are former students turned business partners.
Conner says, “Winning this award is a meaningful step in our journey to build and manufacture the tools and equipment that save farmers time and make their work safer. The validation we heard at the Arkansas Farm Bureau convention confirmed we’re on the right track to make an impact for our customers.”
Arkansas Farm Bureau launched the Ag Innovation Challenge in partnership with the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. The statewide business competition showcases startups developing innovative solutions to address challenges facing Arkansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
AMF received $10,500 for winning the challenge and the People’s Choice Award. SMART Reproduction, a biotech company in Jonesboro, ended up with $5,000 as the runner-up.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI