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.
Top Producer of the Year Award Entry Form (PDF)
Deadline for 2009 award: October 15, 2008.
Profiles of Past Winners:
| Top Producers of 2008 | Runners Up: |
| Dave Minich, Logansport, Ind. | Star Rock Farms, Conestoga, Penn. |
| Top Producers of 2007 | |
| Kip Tom, Leesburg, Ind. | Joe Nichols, Wallonia, Ky. |
| Randy Hughes, Janesville, Wis. | |
| Top Producers of 2006 | |
| Chad Olsen, Hendricks, Minn. | Rick Rosentreter, Carlinville, Ill. |
| Dean Walker, Orofino, Ida. | |
| Top Producers of 2005 | |
| Steve Irsik, Ingalls, Kan. | Bill Kubecka, Palacios, Tex. |
| Craig Yunker, Elba, N.Y. | |
| Top Producers of 2004 | |
| Brian Mitchell, Elkhart, Kan. | Kevin Green, DeWitt, Iowa |
| Jay Garetson, Copeland, Kan. | |
| Top Producers of 2003 | |
| Dean Folkvord, Three Forks, Mont. | Keith Masser, Sacramento, Pa. |
| Tim Dewey, Cimarron, Kan. | |
| Top Producers of 2002 | |
| Melvin Winger, Johnson, Kan. | Jerry Hostetter, Ephrata, Pa. |
| Jay Clasing, Ruthven, Iowa | |
| Top Producers of 2001 | |
| Ben Riensche, Jesup, Iowa | John Moser, Greeley, Colo. |
| Gene Veliquette, Williamsburg, Mich. | |
| Top Producers of 2000 | |
| Marty Klinker, Fairfield, Mont. | Donnie Young, Ulysses, Kan. |
| Steve and Lola Raska, Great Falls, Mont. |
