By Landee Kieschnick
TFB Communications Intern
Farm moms play a vital role on the farm, with their families and in their communities.
Many times they are behind the scenes, working long hours to help make the operation run smoothly.
Monsanto Company wants to honor and recognize the farm moms who work hard for a bright agricultural future outside their fencerows. The company has opened nominations for the 2017 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest.
“These women a lot of times go above and beyond every day, and they don’t really get the recognition that they deserve. So that’s why we started the program as a way to celebrate them,” Tracy Mueller, Monsanto marketing communications manager, said.
The program, now in its eighth year, will focus even more on the communities that these women live in by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations these women are passionate about.
“Maybe these women are involved in their local FFA or 4-H chapter, or maybe they’re on the Farm Bureau board or a commodity board,” Mueller said. “If they’re the operator of the farm, then that’s wonderful. If they are bringing meals and doing the books behind the scenes, that’s just as important,” Mueller said.
Texas farm mom Heather Dineen was named the national Farm Mom of the Year in 2014.
Applications must be submitted by March 31. An eligible person can nominate a mother, sister, wife, daughter, friend, neighbor and even themselves as an exceptional farm mom.
A panel of judges from American Agri-Women will judge the nominations based on published criteria and Monsanto will select five regional winners based on the judges’ decisions.
Each regional winner will receive $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit organization of her choice. Each winner will also receive $3,000 for personal use.
Among the five regional winners, one woman will be named America’s Farmers Mom of the Year based on public voting and receive an additional $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit organization in her community.
To nominate a deserving candidate, visit AmericasFarmers.com and complete an online entry or print a form for mailing by March 31.
Nomination essays are limited to 300 words and should include details about the nominee’s contribution to her farm, family, community and agriculture.
For more information and official contest rules, visit http://www.americasfarmers.com/community-outreach/farm-mom-program-overview/.