Yamaha Announces Ag Communicators of Tomorrow Scholarship Winners

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, has announced its annual scholarship winners for National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) students at the 2016 Ag Media Summit (AMS) in St. Louis. The first, second and third place chapter winners are, the University of Florida, Utah State University and Oklahoma State University, respectively. The Yamaha-ACT scholarships totaled $4,500 in funds to help students attend Ag Media Summit, the largest gathering of agricultural media professionals in the country and a primary career networking and professional development opportunity for ACT members.

While spreading the message of safe, responsible use of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles on farms, ranches and more, the Yamaha-ACT scholarship program has awarded more than $35,000 to students in its eight years of supporting ACT’s mission of fostering the professional development of agricultural communication students. AMS is one of two yearly meetings for ACT chapters and serves as students’ primary career-networking event.

“AMS is an important career-building event for ACT students, and Yamaha’s ACT scholarship program helps even more attend each year,” said Emily Buck, Ph.D., NACT national faculty advisor. “This opportunity from Yamaha provides students with a chance to build their portfolios while learning about industry recommendations and best practices for safe, responsible use of equipment in any setting.”

Applicants for the Yamaha-ACT scholarships are tasked with creating educational communication campaigns and materials focusing on safe, responsible use of ATV and SxS vehicles on farming and ranching operations. A review committee, consisting of Yamaha representatives and members of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) and the Livestock Publications Council (LPC), judge applications based on objective completion, need and merit of submission materials.

“Yamaha made a long-term commitment to supporting U.S. agriculture, farmers, farm-families and communities by not only producing the most durable and capable ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles right here in the USA, but additionally through supporting and promoting their safe, responsible use,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “We are equally committed to supporting agricultural youth programs through sponsorships of ACT, FFA and other agriculture-related organizations.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.