News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – 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. These awards will be given out throughout the conference.

“We commend the work of every single farmer in Missouri and appreciate the effort of all who support our industry,” 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 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 Ag 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 gone above and beyond. This award will recognize a food animal veterinarian who works to protect animal health & welfare, prevent & relieve animal suffering, conserve animal resources, promote public health and advance medical knowledge. This individual must have provided veterinary care for the food production industry through surveillance for emerging diseases, and demonstrated best practices for animal health and well-being of food animals.  

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 annually 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, Nov. 14, 2014. 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 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture web site.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

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