NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE?

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Dept. of Agriculture
welcome AgriVision award nominations

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INDIANAPOLIS (May 31, 2023) ? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 AgriVision Award, the highest agricultural honor presented by the State of Indiana. This award, now in its 17th year, was established by the Lt. Governor and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to recognize Indiana?s agricultural leaders who are ensuring Indiana is, and remains, a global center for food and agricultural innovation and commercialization.

The AgriVision Award is open to any Indiana resident and all sectors of the agriculture industry?from bioenergy to livestock to the agbiosciences. Any person or organization may submit a nomination through July 1, 2023.

?It is my honor to serve as Indiana?s Secretary of Agriculture and to work alongside some of the best and brightest leaders in the state,? said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. ?This award is a way to recognize those who are ensuring agriculture continues to be a driving force in our state.?

Previous AgriVision Award winners have included individuals who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry, whether it?s developing a new technology, managing an agribusiness or organization, or working to address a global issue.

?Indiana is a supercenter for agricultural production thanks to leaders across the state,? said Don Lamb, director of the State Department of Agriculture. ?I look forward to honoring this year?s award recipients for their leadership and commitment in August.?

Award nominations will be accepted beginning June 1 and close on July 1. To nominate an individual, you must complete a form found on the ISDA website and email it to the department. Once a winner has been selected, the award will be presented by Lt. Gov. Crouch and ISDA Director Lamb during the Celebration of Agriculture at the 2023 Indiana State Fair.

Pervious AgriVision Award winners include:

• Gary Truitt and Dr. Karen Plaut (2022)
• Doug Leman and Dr. Robert Waltz (2021)
• Garwood Orchards and MPS Egg Farms (2020)
• Stan Poe family and Terry L. Tucker (2019)
• Jerry Seger family and Tim and Jim Craig (2018)
• Beth Bechdol and Dr. Jay Akridge (2017)
• Dr. Bret Marsh and John Hardin (2016)
• Don Orr and Don Villwock (2015)
• Adam Moody (2014)
• Norman McCowan (2013)
• Kip Tom (2012)
• Vic Lechtenberg (2011)
• JoAnn Brouillette (2010)
• Brian Reichert and John Swisher (2009)
• Charles ?Shorty? Whittington (2008)
• Lawrence "Sonny" Beck (2007)

Click here?or visit ISDA.IN.GOV? to learn more about the award.

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Note to the press: The photo below is of the 2022 AgriVison Award plaques that were presented to Dr. Karen Plaut and Gary Truitt.

ABOUT ISDA

The?Indiana State Department of Agriculture?(ISDA) reports to?Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch,? Indiana?s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.