News Release
December 16, 2016
Director of Ag Honors Agriculture Leaders during Governor’s Conference on Agriculture
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.