Recognizing Bright Stars in Michigan Ag
One of the highlights of the State Annual Meeting are the opportunities to shine a spotlight on some of the best and brightest among us. The annual honors and awards presentations are popular events that bring well-deserved attention to those who often work behind the scenes to make a big difference for Michigan agriculture. Here are the awards and honors that will be recognized during this year’s State Annual Meeting.
Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Awards
Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Dec. 3.
This attendee-favorite presentation showcases the winners from the annual Young Farmer Award program in four categories:
- Young Agriculture Employee: Andrew Braun, 2024 winner
- Young Farmer Achievement: Matt and Alisha Gibson, 2024 winners
- Young Agriculture Leader: John Bowsky, 2024 winner
- Excellence in Agriculture: Darcy Lipskey, 2024 winners
Educator of the Year
Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Education has a special place in the hearts of Michigan Farm Bureau members and plays a critical role in the future of Michigan agriculture. Designed to recognize an educator's efforts to incorporate agriculture and natural resources into the school curriculum both in K-12 classrooms or in Agriscience Career and Technical Education programs, the Educator of the Year candidates are nominated by County Farm Bureaus.
Learn more about Annalyse Auxter, last year's Educator of the Year, here.
Presidential Volunteer of the Year
Presented during the Member Engagement Lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Michigan Farm Bureau and MFB President Carl Bednarski considers it an honor to recognize one outstanding volunteer with the Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award at State Annual Meeting.
Learn more about last year's Presidential Volunteer of the Year winner, Ben Blaho of Emmet County, here.
Distinguished Service to Agriculture
Presented during the Annual Banquet, Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The crown jewel of all MFB awards, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award caps off the State Annual Meeting. Michigan Farm Bureau's highest honor, the DSA was first given in 1956, and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the state's agricultural industry.
Learn more about this year's winner, Dave Armstrong of GreenStone Farm Credit Services, here.
