Farm Service Agency employees from around the country were honored for their outstanding service last Friday during the 2011 Administrator’s Awards for Service to Agriculture. Several group and individual awards were given in six different categories that include civil rights leadership, excellence in leadership and management, award for support service, outstanding team accomplishment, excellence in achieving goals and objectives, and heroism and emergency response.
“I’m impressed with the commitment that FSA employees have to farmers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who served as the keynote speaker during the ceremony. Vilsack said that the agency is underappreciated because people don’t realize the work that is done affects the farmers and ranchers that supply food, fiber and fuel to the American people. “No matter the challenges or factors that are out of your control, you still remain true to the FSA mission of helping farmers,” said Vilsack.
FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson reiterated Vilsack’s message, thanking awardees for their dedication and selfless acts that are helping farmers and ranchers during a challenging year that has seen floods, droughts and wildfires destroy thousands of acres of cropland. “As we embark on an era of transformation at the Department of Agriculture, and in our own agency, I am fortunate to be surrounded by such a talented and dedicated workforce.”
Awardees from the Civil Rights Leadership category: Carnell McAlpine, Isabel Benemelis, Brenda Carlson and Paul Lehman.
Awardees from the Excellence in Leadership and Management Award category: Janet Smith, Curtis Warner, Terri Trevino.
Awardees in the Award for Support Service category: Janet Connelly.
Awardees in the Outstanding Team Accomplishment category: Payment Team, Civil Rights Implementation Team, The Biomass Crop Assistance Team, Massachusetts TAAF for Lobsters Sign-Up Team.
Awardees in the Excellence in Achieving Goals and Objectives Award category: Ohio Farm Loan Program, Wanda Perez.
Awardees in the Heroism and Emergency Response Award category: Beth Sant and April Ward (Magic Valley EMT).
Presidential Volunteer Service Awardee: Jonathan Howard.
Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Awardees: Leslie Cheatham, Tracy Hidde, Tarry Hetzel.
Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Awardee: Jeffrey Johnson.
Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Awardees: Janet Marwede, Larry Clayton, Tammy Lake.
