With its Top Producer of the Year awards program, the magazine recognizes business excellence among the nation’s agricultural producers. Winners are selected because they have demonstrated superior capabilities in agricultural marketing, finance, family business relationships, production or environmental stewardship. Many have overcome severe obstacles or challenges that would have discouraged other farmers. We are not looking for best single-year performance, but for an operator’s long-term achievement and for individuals whose careers can provide inspiration for others in production agriculture.
Profiles of Past Winners:
| Top Producers of 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. |
