News Release

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. As part of the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, the Missouri Agriculture Awards will be presented to recognize those who stand out for their commitment to innovation, giving back to their communities, committing to good land stewardship and being a great example for future generations. The winners will be recognized during the awards banquet at the conference on Friday, Dec. 18. 

“Last year, the inaugural Missouri Agriculture Awards allowed us to recognize an incredible group of Missouri producers and we are looking forward to adding another group of men and women to that esteemed list,” said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. “These awards provide us an opportunity to spotlight key individuals who go above and beyond and serve as exceptional representatives of Missouri agriculture.” 

Award categories include Missouri Farm Innovation, Missouri Agricultural Environmental Steward, Missouri Ag Education Leader, Missouri Food Animal Veterinarian, Missouri Ag Volunteer Award and the Missouri Agriculture Legacy.

Missouri Farm Innovation Award features a Missouri producer that has worked to develop innovative agricultural products or services on their operation through on-farm efficiency efforts, progressive management practices, production technologies and/or marketing approaches. Nominees will be judged on current methods as well as their position to meet future economic and business challenges.

Missouri Agriculture Environmental Steward Award recognizes a Missouri producer that has shown great leadership and an example of environmental stewardship, while also improving production and profitability. This award recognizes the extra effort and hard work producers do through soil management and health, animal agriculture advancements, nutrient loss reduction and conservation and improvement of the state’s land and its resources. Nominees will be judged on current methods as well as their position to meet future economic and business challenges.

Missouri Agriculture Education Leader Award will highlight an educator or advisor in the Missouri school system highlighting the importance of agricultural education to our state’s youth while also advising them on becoming future leaders in the industry. This award recognizes teachers, advisors and leaders in primary, secondary and higher education systems. Nominees will be judged on the overall impact they have on upcoming youth in the agriculture system.

Missouri Food Animal Veterinarian Award will highlight a Missouri food animal veterinarian who has shown expertise in leading veterinary care for the large animal/food production industry through surveillance for FAD and emerging diseases, someone who has demonstrated best practices for animal health and care and has led in innovative practices regarding the health and well-being of large animals.

Missouri Ag Volunteer Award will highlight a true champion for Missouri agriculture that has dedicated their time to volunteering on behalf of Missouri agriculture through community involvement. This award recognizes those that are doing their part to better the industry by sharing agriculture’s story, encouraging youth involvement, enhancing the community in which they live and giving of their valuable time. 

Missouri Agriculture Legacy Awards will highlight one producer in each of Missouri’s top commodities (soybean, corn, pork, poultry, cattle, forestry, dairy, rice and cotton) who has exemplified great leadership in their field of agriculture through innovation, land stewardship, value-added opportunities and/or international successes.

Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives. For guidance, the judges consider innovative farming techniques, examples of commitment to land stewardship, community engagement and leadership.

Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group or individual on behalf of a Missouri farmer and must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. They should be addressed to Missouri Department of Agriculture - Award Nomination, 1616 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, MO, 65109 or emailed to AgInfo@mda.mo.gov (subject line: Award Nomination). Nomination forms can be found on the Missouri Department of Agriculture web site. 
For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

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