December 16, 2016

Director of Ag Honors Agriculture Leaders during Governor’s Conference on Agriculture

JEFFERSON CITY

Agriculture leaders from across Missouri received high honors in front of hundreds of producers and agribusiness leaders during the 47th Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet this evening, Gov. Nixon and Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized recipients of the Missouri Agriculture Awards.

“Many of agriculture’s most extraordinary producers call Missouri home,” said Director Fordyce. “From those who take strides to ensure our land is in good shape for the next generation to those who mold the minds of our young men and women, the Missouri Agriculture Award recipients are improving and enhancing our industry for the future.”

The Missouri Agriculture Awards recognized producers for their commitment to innovation, supporting their communities, committing to good land stewardship and being a great example for future generations.

The 2016 Missouri Agriculture Award recipients include:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
Dean Tom Payne of Columbia
Dr. Anson Elliott of Springfield

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE EDUCATION LEADER:
Darrin Peters of Fenton

MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD:
John Hunter of Essex 

MISSOURI AG COMMUNICATOR:
Mindy Ward of Marthasville 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE VOLUNTEER:
Garry Mathes and Andrea Jackson of Kirksville 

MISSOURI FARM INNOVATION:
Gary Porter of Mercer

MISSOURI FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIAN:
Dr. Larry Letner of Harris

INTERNATIONAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR:
Martin Rice Co. of Bernie

ASAP LEADERSHIP:
Rick Aufdenberg of Jackson

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE BEEF CATTLE LEGACY:
Glen Cope of Aurora

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE CORN LEGACY:
Morris Heitman of Mound City

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE COTTON LEGACY:
Riley James of New Madrid 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE DAIRY LEGACY:
Arlen Schwinke of Morrison 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE FORESTRY LEGACY:
Leroy McGinnis of Cuba 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE PORK LEGACY:
Phil Howerton of Chilhowee

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE POULTRY LEGACY:
Galen Davis of Jasper

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE RICE LEGACY:
Scott Wheeler of Grayridge

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE SOYBEAN LEGACY:

Robert Alpers of Prairie Home

MISSOURI GROWN AWARDS:

Missouri Grown Newcomer– Edgewood Creamery, Purdy

Missouri Grown Innovator – Quixotic Farming, Chillicothe

Missouri Grown Pioneer– Stark Bros. Nurseries and Orchards Co., Louisiana

Missouri Grown Destination– Buckeye Acres, Warrensburg

Missouri Grown Advocate– Farm to You Market, Washington

The conference, which took place at the Lake of the Ozarks, concluded this evening with a special performance by country music band LOCASH. The three-day event included nationally-recognized speakers, in-depth discussions about current issues and an agriculture tradeshow. Special events during the conference included the Best of Missouri Grown reception and the Thursday evening benefit auction supporting programs for future agriculture leaders.

For more information on the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the department online at agriculture.mo.gov.

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Note: Biographies of each of the Missouri Agriculture Award recipients are available at http://agriculture.mo.gov/awards/. Photos are available on the department's Flickr page.