Agriculture Literacy Leadership Award Recipients Named

New award honors agricultural literacy volunteers and industry partners

Don and Bev Meyer and the Wisconsin Soybean Association were named the inaugural recipients of the Agriculture Literacy Leadership Award by Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom at the 103rd Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting on Dec. 4. The new award honors and recognizes outstanding business partners and volunteers dedicated to growing agriculture literacy in Wisconsin.

"Volunteers and business partners are the lifeblood of Wisconsin in Ag in the Classroom," said Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator Beth Schaefer. "This award was created to honor the ongoing work of volunteers whose leadership has advanced our collective goal of increasing awareness of the value of agriculture while supporting K-12 education core curriculum."

Business and Industry Partner Award Recipient: Wisconsin Soybean Association

Wisconsin Soybean Association is one of the longest-running partners of Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom. Their continued support of innovative programs, including the ‘Soybean Science Kit', has allowed over sixty counties to present soybean STEM learning resources with students and educators. Wisconsin Soybean Association's support of agriculture literacy efforts extends to Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom's Essay Contest, an annual program that challenges students to explore how Wisconsin agriculture products are grown and raised while meeting critical writing standards in English Language Arts. Thousands of students have expanded their understanding and awareness of agriculture thanks to the long-time partnership and support of the Wisconsin Soybean Association.

Volunteer Award Recipients: Don and Beverly Meyer, Sauk County Farm Bureau

Don and Beverly Meyer have been instrumental in starting Sauk County Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom program by reaching out to teachers in the county with their Taste of Sauk County event. The Meyers have continued to lead agriculture literacy efforts in their community and state by volunteering at World Dairy Expo Youth Tours, reaching over 1,100 urban students each year about dairy. Don's passion for youth education and agriculture has led him to devote his expertise to mentoring FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom volunteers. The Meyers continued leadership within Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom has impacted thousands of students and educators in Sauk County and across Wisconsin.