Chamber looking for ag appreciation nominees

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-business Committee is looking for possible nominees for the 14th Annual Ag Producer and Advocate Awards.

They will give the awards to the winners at the Agriculture Appreciation Banquet Sept. 28 at the Havre Ice Dome.

Last year, the banquet took place Sept. 15 during Festival Days, but this day fell within harvest season. The committee pushed back the date of the banquet this year in order to avoid this same problem.

“Over 50 Chamber of Commerce member businesses sponsor tickets each year,” a press release from the committee said. “The Appreciation Banquet continues to bring together over 400 community members, representing business and agriculture.”

According to the press release, the committee gives out the awards to honor agricultural leaders and advocates in north-central Montana to “celebrate the contributions made by leaders in our rural communities that strengthen the vitality of agriculture.”

The purpose of the Outstanding Agriculture Producer Award is to “recognize a person actively involved in agricultural production and who has demonstrated leadership for Montana’s agricultural industry in north-central Montana.”

The examples of qualifications for this award that the press release lists include, but are not limited to: accomplishments as an agricultural producer; the role the individual has played in Montana agriculture as a leader; professional accomplishment on local, state and national levels; scope of the individual’s involvement, “including organizational membership and leadership, agricultural development activities organized and completed, publications, educational programs and involvement in community service projects,” and current involvement in agriculture leadership.

The nominee must still be actively engaged in agricultural production in north-central Montana.

Tom and Marilyn Jurenka received the 2012 Outstanding Agriculture Producer Award

The Outstanding Agriculture Advocate Award is given to honor a person who is “involved or retired from business, education or government and who has a demonstrated record of advocacy for Montana’s agricultural industry in north-central Montana.”

Examples of qualifications for this award include, but not limited to: length of service to Montana agriculture; the role the individual has played as an agricultural advocate; the scope of the individual’s agricultural involvement; professional accomplishments and recognition on local, state and national levels, and current involvement in agriculture advocacy.

The press release says the advocates can be educators, business people, retired agricultural producers, public officials or employees and others. They are not primarily involved in agricultural production but have devoted extraordinary efforts to promote the agricultural industry from outside, the press release says.

Last year’s award was given to Joe Broesder, the former Hill County Extension Agent.

Nomination forms for both awards are available at the Havre Chamber of Commerce office at 130 5th Ave during regular business hours.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 7.

The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, with a cocktail hour and a barbecue steak dinner buffet will begin at 7 p.m.

Ticket prices are $20 for one, $95 for five, $180 for 10 and $340 for 20.

Those interested in more ticket information may call the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce at 265-4383.