Summertime is upon us, and you know what that means… but work doesn’t necessarily slow down for farmers.
Cows need to be moved to another pasture, wheat harvest is just around the corner, and its haying season. And for most farm families, the additional work that needs tending to, beyond the field, doesn’t slow down either. I’m talking about the extended hours spent off the farm—attending late night meetings, community fundraisers, leading the rural water board, coaching your kid’s T-ball games, or helping youth prep 4-H projects for the county fair.
The list goes on and on. One thing that’s constant is the humble leadership that tends to stand out in these individuals.
Just as they work to lead their crops and livestock to success, they often are heavily involved with improving their rural community or leading others to success. Recently, my hometown lost a local farmer who fit this character and shared many of these attributes. He was a faith driven family man, actively involved in both his community and agricultural organizations.
I’m sure, as you’re reading this, you can think of certain farmers, ranchers or agribusiness professionals who come to mind in your own local community. They are the type always willing to give the shirt off their back to help a neighbor, looking for ways to improve their operation, or mentoring others. These individuals tend to shy away from any acknowledgement or recognition of their good works, but they are worth the time to honor and learn about.
If you’re familiar with High Plains Journal’s past U events, you know we have dedicated a portion of our programs to honoring outstanding individuals who go above and beyond their basic role as a producer or agribusiness professional. Our team at HPJ is carrying the tradition over to our upcoming event HPJ Live, in August. There are two awards that will be given out, The Greater Good and The Test of Time.
The Greater Good will honor an individual who has shown leadership in helping High Plains farmers and ranchers on their land or in their operations become more profitable. Think about your local Natural Resources Conservation Service employee, state commodity or livestock association member, agronomist, or livestock nutritionist to name a few. The Test of Time will honor a farm, ranch, or family who has exemplified success in innovation, land stewardship, and sense of stability. Any producer can be nominated for this award whether you’re a cow-calf producer, dedicated to crop production or diversified producer. To learn more about each award or submit a nomination, visit live.hpj.com. The submission deadline is July 1 and the winners will be notified by July 15.
Kylie Reiss can be reached at [email protected]
