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Awards & Honors

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.

2x2 image grid featuring the portraits of the 2022 Young Farmer Awards winners.
A woman holding a plaque standing between another woman and MFB president Carl Bednarski while they all smile on the camera on stage at the 2022 MFB State Annual Meeting Leadership Banquet.

Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Awards

Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Nov. 29

This attendee-favorite presentation showcases the winners from the annual Young Farmer Award program in four categories:

Educator of the Year

Presented during Leadership Banquet, Tuesday, Nov. 29

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.

Join us as we recognize Laingsburg developmental kindergarten teacher Angie Mills the 2022 recipient of Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2022 Educator of the Year honors.

Presidential Volunteer of the Year award winner Hank Choate holding a plaque and shaking hands with MFB president Carl Bednarski while looking at the camera on stage at the 2022 MFB State Annual Meeting.
MFB president Carl Bednarski presenting David VanderHaagen with a DSA award plaque on stage at the MFB 2022 State Annual Meeting.

Presidential Volunteer of the Year

Presented during lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 30

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.

Join us as we honor Jackson County dairyman Hank Choate for more than 20 years of service as part of Jackson County Farm Bureau.

Distinguished Service To Agriculture

Presented during the Annual Banquet, Wednesday, Nov. 30

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.

Join us as we honor retired MFB General Counsel David VanderHaagen with this prestigious award.

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