Editor's Note: FEMA is collaborating with Lessiter Media, publisher of Farm Equipment magazine, to commemorate their 75-year history. As part of the FEMA anniversary, we're asking the question: "What would be the industry impact had FEMA never come to exist or perhaps failed to find traction and permanence?" Send your answer to this question to mlessiter@lessitermedia.com and your response may appear online.

The first FEMA convention I attended was in 1982 in Chicago, if I recall correctly. It was fundamental for me and for SITREX.

It was a novelty for me since conventions were not very well known in Europe, much less in Italy and especially in the agriculture sector.

Since then I have participated every year, except the year of COVID travel restrictions.

The first conventions were fundamental for contacts with distributors & importers, a whole new world for me, a young Italian entrepreneur and manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

I remember the boxes that were at the convention and that I made the first appointments, showing a brochure of the rakes. I obtained some appointments from the interested distributors and so we began a profitable, long and respectful collaboration for over 40 years.

FEMA has been a great help to me in our journey to the USA which is still going strong after decades.

If FEMA had not been there, it would have been definitely more difficult to contact customers and also to socialize, which is very important. Personal relationships are a really strong basis for good work and good collaboration. 

These are the reasons why we are still proud members of FEMA today!

In the midst of celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) has contracted Lessiter Media to chronicle the Association’s past through an in-depth multimedia project that will culminate at FEMA’s Marketing & Distribution Convention in Las Vegas, NV., on Oct. 27-30, 2025. Key pieces of this special collaboration include a comprehensive history book (pictured right) on the association that highlights the significance of the organization and its independent shortline members and their innovations. The media group will also film, edit and produce a video documentary that will entertain, educate and inspire the industry about the accomplishments and mission of FEMA. Both projects will debut to attendees at the 2025 Fall Convention, and later to the entire industry through Lessiter Media’s ag division properties.