American Agri-Women (AAW) elected its executive board and recognized outstanding contributors at its 38th annual convention in Niagara Falls, New York. Sue McCrum of Mars Hill, Maine, will serve as president in 2014-2015. AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. The 38th annual convention included meetings in Niagara Falls as well as meetings and tours in Ontario, Canada, which were sponsored by several Canadian ag groups.

This was the first time AAW collaborated with Canadian women for its annual convention.

National officers for 2013

  • President: Sue McCrum, Mars Hill, Maine
  • Past-President: Karen Yost, Billings, Montana
  • First Vice President for Resolutions & Vital Issues: Doris Mold, St. Paul, Minnesota and Cumberland, Wisconsin
  • Secretary: Lisa Condon, Horicon, Wisconsin
  • Treasurer: Peggy Clark, Dayton, Ohio
  • Vice President of Education: Kris Zilliox, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Vice President of Communications: Lynn Woolf, Milton, Kansas
Outstanding contributors recognized
At the convention, AAW presented its 2013 VERITAS award to Richard Ulrich, senior advisor on industry engagement at the Canadian Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The VERITAS award is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the pursuit of truth.” It is the highest honor given to a non-member.

Three women were honored with LEAVEN awards, the organization’s highest honor for members. They include:

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  • Frances Hendricks, Aumsville, Oregon
  • Penny Lauritzen, Lanark, Illinois
  • Kris Zilliox, Omaha Nebraska
Other outstanding contributors were presented with President’s Awards
  • Carol Chandler, Selma, California
  • Barbara LeVake, Yuba City, California
  • Ruth Jensen, Santa Maria, California
  • Jody Lamp, Billings, Montana
  • Melody Dobson, Billings, Montana
  • Karolyn Zurn, Callaway, Minnesota
  • Ardath DeWall, Shannon, Illinois
  • Kathy Reavis, Mission, Texas
  • Arlene Kovash, Monmouth, Oregon
  • Rex Martin of Syngenta. PD

—From American Agri-Women news release

PHOTO
American Agri-Women’s officers for 2014, from left, are Lynn Woolf, vice president of communications; Peggy Clark, treasurer; Kris Zilliox, vice president of education; Doris Mold, first vice president for resolutions and vital issues; Sue McCrum, president; Lisa Condon, secretary; and Karen Yost, past president. Photo courtesy of American Agri-Women.