Nominations sought for annual Women in Agriculture Awards
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Extension is accepting nominations for the 2011 Women in Agriculture Awards.
The annual awards recognize women who have provided leadership and made positive contributions to Indiana agriculture through their involvement in an Indiana agricultural enterprise, agribusiness, farm or commodity organization, said Christa Holloway, Extension educator in Fulton County and awards coordinator.
"Women have always been an important part of agriculture but were less likely to be sought out or recognized for their involvement and successes in the field," Holloway said. "The Women in Agriculture Awards validate that women are an important part of Indiana agriculture. In addition, it is important to highlight the agricultural field in general because younger generations need to know that agriculture is still a career option."
Two awards will be presented: The Achievement Award honors a woman who has been active in Indiana agriculture primarily through a home farm operation or agribusiness. The Leadership Award is given to a woman who serves in an agribusiness or policymaking position.
An award nomination form is available online at https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/wia/index.htm
The Purdue Women in Agriculture Team will present the awards during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 12.
The 2010 award winners were Louise Beaman of Johnson County and Carolyn Hegel of Wabash County. Beaman received the Achievement Award for work on her family's farrow-to-finish hog operation and grain farm and for her efforts on legislative issues affecting Indiana agriculture. Hegel received the Leadership Award for her 20 years of involvement in various roles in the agricultural industry.
Writer: Jeanne Gibson, 765-494-8402, jegibson@purdue.edu
Source: Christa Holloway, 574-223-3397, hollowac@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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