News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Agriculture leaders from across Missouri received high honors in front of hundreds of producers and agribusiness leaders during the 45th Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet this evening, Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized recipients of the Missouri Agriculture Awards.

“Missouri agriculture’s greatest asset is the people who have committed their lives to producing a quality food supply for consumers,” said Director Fordyce. “It’s truly an honor to recognize just a handful of individuals who have gone above and beyond. These men and women have made outstanding contributions to the industry, and we applaud them for giving back so much.”

Producers were recognized for their commitment to innovation, supporting their communities, committing to good land stewardship and being a great example for future generations. Awards include:

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE EDUCATION LEADER:
Harold Eckler of Shelbyville, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Ag_Education

MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD:
Steve and Sharon Oetting of Concordia, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Environmental_Steward 

MISSOURI FARM BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR:
Tom Steever of Jefferson City, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Farm_Broadcaster

MISSOURI FARM INNOVATION:
Bob Vandiver Cattle Co. of Richmond, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Farm_Innovation

MISSOURI FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIAN:
Dr. G.D. Windom of Bethany, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Food_Animal_Vet 

INTERNATIONAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR:
Independent Stave Company of Lebanon, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/International_Exporter 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE BEEF CATTLE LEGACY:
Jim McCann of Miller, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Cattle_Legacy 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE CORN LEGACY:
Mike Geske of Matthews, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Corn_Legacy 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE COTTON LEGACY:
David Blakemore of Campbell, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Cotton_Legacy

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE DAIRY LEGACY:
Randy Mooney of Rogersville, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Dairy_Legacy

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE FORESTRY LEGACY:
Darwin Murray of West Plains, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Forestry_Legacy 

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE PORK LEGACY:
Brent Sandidge of Marshall, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Pork_Legacy

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE POULTRY LEGACY:
Donald Steen of Eldon, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Poultry_Legacy

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE RICE LEGACY:
Ronnie Berry of Neelyville, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Rice_Legacy  

MISSOURI AGRICULTURE SOYBEAN LEGACY:
Neal Bredehoeft of Alma, Mo.
News release: http://agriculture.mo.gov/news/2014/Soybean_Legacy

The conference, which took place at the Lake of the Ozarks, concluded this evening with a special performance by country music band Sawyer Brown. 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 Taste of AgriMissouri reception and the Friday evening benefit auction supporting programs for youth and young professionals in agriculture.

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

###

Note: Photos of the award presentation are available by contacting Sarah Alsager at Sarah.Alsager@mda.mo.gov.