Congratulations to IAP Owner company, Willard Agri-Service on receiving ARA’s Retailer of the Year Award !

Willard Agri-Service, of Lynch, Md., was selected as the 2009 ARA Retailer of the Year and received this award during the ARA conference general session on Wednesday, December 2. This award is sponsored by Monsanto Company, ARA and AgProfessional magazine and is a recognized symbol of quality and prestige – the emblem of the very best in the industry. The retail outlets nominated for this award are evaluated based on innovative business practices, community and industry leadership, environmental stewardship, reliability, technology utilization, customer service and effective employee development programs.

In 2010, Willard Agri-Service will celebrate their 40th anniversary. The company has grown from a small retail operation in Frederick, Maryland to five large retail facilities in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The business was started by De Willard and now his two sons Bob and Billy Willard handle the majority of the day-to-day management of the business. The Willard Agri-Service business focuses on the manufacture, sale and application of custom liquid fertilizers, micro-nutrients, crop protection products, and a unique crop management system called High Q, which develops a specialized program for each customer based on their unique farming needs.

“We call ourselves the knowledge providers,” said Bob Willard. “We’re trying to provide our customers with the knowledge they need to make more profit on each acre.”

De Willard emphasized the role of Willard Agri-Service’s employees in the company’s success. “Anybody can have equipment and buildings but they’re no good without the right people,” said De Willard. “We have been very fortunate to have the right people, willing to work with us and help achieve the goals of our customers and our company.”

As a winner of the 2009 ARA Retailer of the Year Award, the Willards received a beautiful crystal award to display at their retail facility, two nights of accommodations at the ARA Conference & Expo, two round-trip tickets to St. Louis, Missouri for a tour of Monsanto’s biotech research facility, and a video featuring their company.

Click here to watch their video presentation.