Barnard receives Hovde award for service to rural Indiana

November 16, 2015  


Hovde award Barnard

Freddie Barnard, the 2015 recipient of the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Education Service to the Rural People of Indiana, talks with Purdue University animal sciences student Ashley Bowerman. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freddie Barnard, a longtime leader in Purdue Extension agribusiness management and agricultural finance programs, is the 2015 recipient of the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Education Service to the Rural People of Indiana.

Barnard, a Purdue University professor of agricultural economics, was presented the honor Monday (Nov. 16) at the annual convention of the Indiana Farm Bureau, sponsor of the award, in Indianapolis. The award, which carries a monetary prize, is named for Purdue's longest-serving president, who led the university from 1946 to 1971.

"The Hovde Award is reserved for those who have provided exceptional service to the people of rural Indiana," noted Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Purdue Agriculture. "The hundreds of Extension courses and workshops that Dr. Barnard has led over more than 30 years, helping tens of thousands of farmers and agricultural lenders deal with changing and challenging economic times, certainly makes him deserving of this award.

"Dr. Barnard has also been a stellar teacher and a leader in agribusiness education, helping prepare the next generation of leaders for success."

Barnard has taught thousands of students management principles using simulations to mimic experiences in their professions, a technique that has been adapted across the country and in Africa.

Starting in 1982 as an assistant professor, Barnard began offering the Indiana Bankers Association Midwest Agricultural Banking School, an annual one-week session providing bankers practical information about agricultural credit and finance, farm management and marketing; and the IBA Agricultural Clinic, an annual one-day conference that brings together senior lenders and agricultural leaders to explore issues facing agricultural lenders. Since 2005, Barnard has led the annual two-day Advanced Agricultural Credit Seminar for graduates of the Agricultural Banking School.

"Promoting and helping to run the IBA Banking School and the IBA Ag Clinic would not be a success without Freddie and his commitment to ag," said Traci L. Davies, vice president of Fowler State Bank in Indiana. "Being a rural bank in a rural community, I have used and valued Freddie's contribution to help the smaller, rural banks with their financial statement programs. Freddie has been more than willing to work with and talk with the bankers and farmers in our rural areas to help them understand their finances."

Greg Foulke, a farm loan chief for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, said Barnard's strength lies in his ability to make complicated topics accessible to different audiences.

"His efforts to simplify agricultural credit and make it understandable have made me and other agricultural lenders better at what we do," Foulke said.

Barnard's leadership has made him a sought-after member for boards and committees, from local institutions to national organizations. He has served on committees for the Farm Financial Standards Council and the Indiana General Assembly's Agriculture Finance Study Committee.

Barnard has co-authored the textbook Agribusiness Management, with its fifth edition expected in the spring of 2015. The book has been a valuable source in the agribusiness profession for more than 25 years and is used at universities across the country.

In the classroom, Barnard has been a dedicated teacher and mentor. His name was added in 2013 to Purdue's Book of Great Teachers.

"Dr. Barnard is making a real difference for Purdue students, many of whom come from rural Indiana and many who will return to rural Indiana as the next generation of leaders," said Holly Hopkins, a senior majoring in agricultural economics and management and a member of College of Agriculture Ambassadors. 

Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-532-0233, brian.wallheimer@gmail.com 

Source: Jay Akridge, 765-494-8391, akridge@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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