Nominations sought for 2014 Farm Family of the Year
(Palmer, AK) – The Division of Agriculture is inviting the public to submit nominations for the 15th Annual Farm Family of the Year award that will be presented during the Alaska State Fair in August.
The Alaska State Fair established the award in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family that epitomizes the spirit of the industry and to show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture in the state. The 2013 award recipient was Vern Stockwell and Becky Gardner of Stockwell Farm located in Palmer.
Nominations are due on June 17. The Farm Family selection committee will select a family using the following criteria:
· Production of quality Alaska Grown products (not based on quantity)
· Community involvement (civic organizations, school, sports, church)
· Involvement in agriculture sector organizations (local, state, federal, tribal etc.)
· Overall farm family image, farming history, and unique or special production
Nominations will be judged by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service; the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources & Agriculture Sciences and Cooperative Extension Service; the Alaska State Fair; and the Division of Agriculture.
Nominations should offer details about the family and how the family members fulfill the criteria. The nominations should be mailed to:
Jacquelyn Schade – Farm Family
Alaska Division of Agriculture
1800 Glenn Hwy, Ste. 12
Palmer, AK 99645
Nominations may also be faxed to 907-745-7242 or emailed to Jacquelyn.Schade@alaska.gov.
The award, sponsored by the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, will be presented at the Director's Reception on the state fair's opening day, August 21.
DNR press release