Events

Top Producer of the Year Winners

You’ve taken the risks and built a successful business.

You give back to your industry and your local community.

Your story would help others push themselves to achieve success.

The Top Producer of the Year Award identifies and honors agricultural producers from whom our readers can learn business concepts, ranging from value-added ventures to succession plans to overcoming adversity.

If these characteristics can be used to describe you, then you should apply to be the 2012 Top Producer of the Year.

Entrants will be judged on:

entrepreneurial originality (50%)
financial and business progress (30%)
industry or community leadership (20%)

Any farmer or rancher who derives at least half of his/her income from farming and farm-related ventures may apply.

The Application Process

To apply, complete the entry form and send two letters of reference from an accountant, banker or agribusiness leader. Winners agree to be recognized in articles published in TOP PRODUCER magazine and online. Any financial information remains confidential unless entrants agree to its release.

Check back for the application for the 2013 award.

Profiles of Past Winners:

2012 Top Producer of the Year	Finalists
Gregg Halverson Grand Forks, N.D.	Tim Richter Lime Springs, Iowa
	Mike Stamp Decatur, Mich.

2011	Finalists:
Jim Kline Hartford City, Ind.	Jake Clark Gran Ledge, Mich.
	Justin Crownover Sunray, Texas

2010	Finalists:
Donny DeLine Charleston, Mo.	Schmidt Farms Sudlersville, Md.
	Hudye Farms Burlington, Colo.

2009
Lon Frahm Colby, Kan.	Andy & Beth Snider Hart, Mich.
	Duncanson Growers Mapleton, Minn.

2008
Dave Minich, Logansport, Ind.	Star Rock Farms, Conestoga, Penn.
	Leroy Shatto, Osborn, Mo.

2007
Kip Tom, Leesburg, Ind.	Joe Nichols, Wallonia, Ky.
	Randy Hughes, Janesville, Wis.

2006
Chad Olsen, Hendricks, Minn.	Dean Walker, Orofino, Ida.
	Rick Rosentreter, Carlinville, Ill.

2005
Steve Irsik, Ingalls, Kan.	Bill Kubecka, Palacios, Tex.
	Craig Yunker, Elba, N.Y.

2004
Brian Mitchell, Elkhart, Kan.	Kevin Green, DeWitt, Iowa
	Jay Garetson, Copeland, Kan.

2003
Dean Folkvord, Three Forks, Mont.	Keith Masser, Sacramento, Pa.
	Tim Dewey, Cimarron, Kan.

2002
Melvin Winger, Johnson, Kan.	Jerry Hostetter, Ephrata, Pa.
	Jay Clasing, Ruthven, Iowa

2001
Ben Riensche, Jesup, Iowa	John Moser, Greeley, Colo.
	Gene Veliquette, Williamsburg, Mich.

2000
Marty Klinker, Fairfield, Mont.	Donnie Young, Ulysses, Kan.
	Steve and Lola Raska, Great Falls, Mont.

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