GLENWOOD, Iowa, December 17, 2013 — Three hundred and twelve years of combined agriculture experience are coming together as Barker Implement along with A&M Green Power have formed AgriVision and will serve John Deere customers in 3 states through 13 retail locations in Southwest and South Central Iowa.

Owners Don Athen and Todd Barker are proud of the deep heritage of the area John Deere dealership families as the McCreadys of Macedonia started way back in 1899, the Barkers of Lenox in 1936, the Athens of Hamburg in 1941 and the McCunns of Massena in 1964.

Though the company will be larger, Athen and Barker are stressing the personalized, family-focused attention to customers will not change, as a matter of fact, it will be intensified as more of the family lineage continues to join AgriVision in the years to come.

CEO Jeremy Ostrander and COO Bob Irr are excited about the combining of two strong, local ag businesses as well.

"As agriculture continues to change and adapt to take advantage of greater economies of scale, so too must businesses like ours that support the industry. We believe that this merger will enhance both companies' ability to support customers and bring benefits to customers both new and old throughout our combined trading area," said Ostrander.

He added, "We aim to uphold all the virtues of a locally-owned, family-run business with connections to our local community, along with even greater emphasis on delivering unrivalled parts, technology, service and sales support to all our customers."

With over 400 employees now in the fold, AgriVision's leaders are looking forward to retaining and attracting the industry's best personnel in order to do the absolute best job they can for their past, present and future customers.

Irr and Ostrander also emphasize that even though AgriVision will continue to focus on farmers and landowners in the three-state area, the emphasis on "hobby farmers," acreage owners and those who use the smaller green equipment to mow their lawn or remove their snow will remain as strong as ever.

Barker emphasizes that as the AgriVision dealership families are multi-generational, so are many of the producers and landowners they serve, so the relationships and friendships that have been formed over the years are cherished.

As AgriVision is mindful of its past, Athen and Barker are also optimistic for a bright, successful future as the strength of both companies will, as always, be channeled to the ones they look to serve each and every day, their valued John Deere customers.

For more information about AgriVision, call 712-527-4946 or 641-333-2288.