News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Missouri cotton producer/ginner/warehouseman David Blakemore, from Campbell, Mo., was recognized by Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce Saturday evening at the 45th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture with the 2014 Missouri Cotton Legacy Award, recognizing him for leadership in Missouri’s cotton industry. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized Blakemore with this year’s top cotton honors in front of hundreds in attendance.

“Missouri ranks in the top ten nationally for cotton because of producers like David Blakemore,” said Director Fordyce. “I continue to be inspired by the passion demonstrated by the men and women I meet across the fine state of Missouri, those who work diligently to protect an industry that provides great benefit to the world.”

As Missouri’s Cotton Legacy Award recipient, David Blakemore, manager and owner of B & B Cotton Co. and Sunnyside Grain Co., was recognized for his outstanding contributions to Missouri agriculture. Blakemore is a member of the Missouri Cotton Growers Organization Board which implemented the Boll weevil eradication program in Missouri.

Blakemore currently serves as vice president of the National Cotton Ginners Association and vice chairman of the Dunklin County Soil and Water District. He also served on the National Cotton Council Board. In 2010, the Southern Cotton Ginners Association named him “Ginner of the Year.” Blakemore has contributed time, effort and support, and serves as a champion of the cotton industry.

Missouri’s Cotton Legacy Award was recognized alongside Legacy Awards in Soybean, Cattle, Corn, Pork, Poultry, Forestry, Dairy and Rice, the Missouri Farm Innovation Award, the Missouri Agriculture Environmental Steward Award, Missouri Ag Education Leader Award and the Missouri Food Animal Veterinarian Award at the 2014 Missouri’ Governor’s Conference on Agriculture closing banquet.

The conference, which took place at the Lake of the Ozarks, concluded Saturday 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.

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Note: Photos of the award presentation are available by contacting Sarah Alsager at Sarah.Alsager@mda.mo.gov or (573) 751-2613.