Indianapolis IN - The National Future Farmers of America (FFA) named Erin Leigh Croy of Gallatin Missouri as the national winner of the Agricultural Education - Entrepreneurship / Placement Proficiency award program during the 79th National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis Indiana, on Oct. 25-28 2006.

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in agribusiness gained through the establishment of a new business, working for an existing company, or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. Ms. Croy, became eligible for the award after winning the Missouri state FFA competition earlier this year, and being named one of four regional finalists this past August.

Growing up around the FFA and agricultural education encouraged Ms. Croy to become a voice for agriculture in her studies. Ms. Croy participates in a program called "Students as Teachers" where she works in the classroom side by side with teachers. Ms. Croy is a member of the Gallatin FFA Chapter, in Gallatin Missouri. She is also recent graduate of the Gallatin R-V High School, and is currently attending the University of Missouri - Columbia, where she is an Agricultural Education major.

The award, sponsored for the last two years by the James F. Lincoln Welding Foundation and the Lincoln Electric Company, is a central part of their 58-year involvement in the FFA. It was presented along with $1,000 during a special ceremony during the national convention, attended by more than 51,000 members.

FFA is a national youth organization of 490,017 student members preparing for leadership careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,210 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.

The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation (JFLF) is dedicated to advancing safe, reliable, and cost-effective arc welding design and practice worldwide. Founded in 1936, JFLF encourages interest, education and advancement in the arc welding industry through outreach, welding awards competition, educational programs, and the non-profit publishing of a multitude of books, audio-video materials and teaching aids. For more information visit the foundation's website at www.jflf.org.

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 34 manufacturing locations, including operations, manufacturing alliances and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric, its products and services, visit the company's website at http://www.lincolnelectric.com.