Immediate Release:
Monday, December 29, 2008
Nebraska Corn Board contacts:
Jon Holzfaster: 800.632.6761
Nebraska Corn Board Honors Individuals
KEARNEY, NE—The Nebraska Corn Board presented awards to three Nebraskans during the Nebraska Ag Classic meeting in Kearney.
Receiving the annual Ag Achievement Award was Greg Ibach, of Sumner, NE. Mr. Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, was recognized for his ag industry leadership, and his continual support of the Nebraska Corn Board’s mission and activities.
“We are proud to recognize Greg’s promotion of Nebraska’s agriculture industry,” said Jon Holzfaster, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Serving for nearly 10 years as assistant director and director, Greg’s work on agriculture policy issues at both the state and federal levels and promotion of Nebraska’s agricultural products in foreign and domestic markets have served the producers of Nebraska well.”
The Ag Achievement Award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates vision, commitment and a deep understanding of the value of agriculture and the corn checkoff to the state of Nebraska.
The Nebraska Corn Board also presented their annual Media Award. This year’s recipient was Ken Rahjes, network coordinator on KRVN. Ken can be heard nearly every weekday on KRVN, KTIC and KNEB.
“Ken’s farm background, along with his past farm enterprise management responsibilities have led Ken to be an advocate for not only the corn industry, but Nebraska’s agriculture industry as a whole. Nebraska is lucky to have this type of advocacy and on-air personality and on behalf of the corn industry are very pleased to honor Ken’s tireless work,” stated Holzfaster.
The Nebraska Corn Board also presented their annual Ethanol Award to Phil High. Phil, a farmer in the Bertrand area has been an advocate and promoter of ethanol for many years.
“Phil’s advocacy and entrepreneurial spirit have led to the development of AmeriFuels / Renewable Fuels Technology, LLC, a company that develops and promotes usage of stationary irrigation motors that run on pure ethanol and works to market and deliver the ethanol needed for these engines. This past year over two dozen of these engines were running across south-central Nebraska,” stated Dennis Gengenbach, farmer director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “I was lucky enough have two of these engines this past year and look to have more in the future.”
Additionally, during the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Convention, Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board presented the 2007 – 2008 Livestock Industry Award to Michael Kelsey, executive vice-president of the Nebraska Cattlemen.
“Michael has worked hard to represent the Nebraska cattlemen and also to bring the various commodity organization closer together. He has been instrumental on helping organize the first of its kind, joint Washington DC lobbying efforts by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen,” said Hutchens.
Craid Uden, manager of Darr Feedlot at Cozad was presented the 2008-2009 Livestock Industry award by the Nebraska Corn Board. Craig has taken a 4,000 head feedlot and helped transform it into a 45,000 head operation.
“Craig has taken his passion and experience far beyond the feedlot and into the policy, market development, promotion efforts by taking an active role in the Nebraska Beef Council, the Nebraska Cattlemen and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Craig also understands the value of utilizing distiller grains to enhance Nebraska’s cattle feeding advantage over other states,” added Hutchens.
The Livestock Industry Award is given annually to recognize an individual’s work in leadership on behalf of the Nebraska’s livestock industries, including market development, promotion and research.
The Nebraska Corn Board is a self-help program, funded and managed by Nebraska corn farmers. Producers invest in the program at a rate of ¼ of a cent per bushel of corn sold. Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education.
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