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Sep. 26, 2017 Source: Agriculture Future of America news release It's not enough to be good at what you do, leaders must strive to soar to new heights each day. On Friday, Nov. 3, Agriculture Future of America will honor two leaders who have demonstrated this spirit throughout their careers and have given back to benefit the future of agriculture and food. "We are pleased to announce the 2017 AFA Leader in Agriculture Award recipients are Arthur Gen "A.G." Kawamura and Joel Mathiowetz," said Mark Stewart, president and CEO of AFA. "These awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions within the food and agriculture industry and have a record of supporting career and leader development for young men and women in agriculture through work and service; A.G. and Joel demonstrate these qualities perfectly." For the first time, one of these honorees will be a young leader in agriculture, someone under the age of 40. This change allows AFA to better recognize and honor the breadth of leadership in agriculture and food. Kawamura will receive the traditional AFA Leader in Agriculture Award, and Mathiowetz will receive the new AFA Young Leader in Agriculture Award. AFA looks forward to awarding both titles each year going forward. Kawamura is a third generation produce grower and shipper from Orange County, California. From 2003 to 2010 he was the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He is co-chair of Solutions From the Land, a nationally acclaimed non-profit that is developing innovative and sustainable collaborations for 21st century agriculture. He serves on several agricultural-based boards and committees including the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Agree Initiative; the National Academy of Sciences' Natural Resource Council; 25x'25 Initiative for renewable energy; American Farmland Trust; Farm Foundation; Western Growers Association; Delta Vision Foundation; Southern California Water Committee, and the CA Water Reuse Foundation. For over 40 years, Kawamura has pursued a lifelong goal to work toward an end to hunger and malnutrition, working with food banks to create exciting urban ag projects that address nutrition and hunger. As a progressive farmer, Kawamura has a lifetime of experience working within the shrinking rural and urban boundaries of southern California. Through their company, Orange County Produce, LLC, he and his brother Matt are engaged in building an interactive, 21st century 70-acre agricultural showcase at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. Mathiowetz is a 5th generation farmer near Morgan, Minnesota. He raises corn, soybeans, peas and lambs. He is owner of Farm Gate Consulting LLC, providing generational transition and peer group consulting. He is also a crop insurance agent and Executive Director of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation. He has always had a passion for agriculture through his involvement in 4-H, FFA, AFA, ProAg of Renville County, Redwood Falls Ag Chamber committee, Corn and Soybean Growers Associations, Farm Bureau and MARL (Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership). He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture business from South Dakota State University. Each year, AFA's student leaders recognize two leaders at the AFA Leader in Agriculture Award Dinner for their contributions to agriculture and youth development. This event is open to the public. For more information or to register, please visit www.agfuture.org/leaderinag. This dinner is a function of the larger AFA Leaders Conference and Alliance Forum, which will bring almost 1,000 collegiate and young professional leaders to Kansas City, Missouri, Nov. 2-6, for personal and professional development. To learn more about this year's Conference, visit www.agfuture.org/conference. To view details about the Forum program, visitwww.agfuture.org/AllianceForum. Tweet |
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