Annual awards that recognize some of the hardest-working volunteers in the organization, plus one company, who have made recent, tangible results in the mission to promote and enable the transition to digital agriculture.
AgGateway leaders are given the opportunity to identify member volunteers who within the past year have demonstrated outstanding work toward the goal of making real, tangible progress in terms of connections in the industry. The awards are presented each year during the AgGateway's Annual Conference.
In addition to the above awards, the Board recognizes one company to receive the award. Each Steering Committee is asked to nominate companies in early fall; the Board then discusses and votes on a winner in advance of the Annual Conference.
Rich Adams, Key Cooperative, presented by the Grain & Feed Council
Corina Ardelean, AGCO Corporation, presented by the Precision Agriculture Council
Eric Hoefing, ACS, presented by the Ag Retail Council
Ann Vande Lune, Key Cooperative
Ann Vande Lune, Key Cooperative, presented by the Ag Retail Council
Eileen Licitra, presented by the Allied Providers Council
Lori Edwards, Syngenta, presented by the Crop Protection Council
Phil Kubesh, VitaPlus, presented by the Grain & Feed Council
Nathan Stein, senseFly, presented by the Precision Agriculture Council
Greg Erler, Monsanto, presented by the Seed Council
Jeff Griffeth, Co-Alliance, presented by the Ag Retail Council
Steve Daigle, Elemica, presented by the Allied Providers Council
Robert Kovalsky, The Mosaic Co., presented by the Crop Nutrition Council
Mike Glidden, JR Simplot, presented by the Crop Protection Council
Scott Nieman, Land O’ Lakes, presented by the Grain & Feed Council
Dick Moore, Red Wing Software, presented by the Precision Ag Council
Randy Fry, Ceres Solutions, presented by the Seed Council
Donald Green, Crop Production Services, presented by the Specialty Chemical Council
In addition, President & CEO Wendy Smith gave the 2017 President’s Award to Jeremy W. Wilson, Technology Specialist at Crop IMS. Smith described Wilson as a tireless AgGateway advocate who “presents our message and the results of our work to many audiences, stressing with them the importance of standards and implementing eConnectivity.”
Wilson is active on AgGateway’s precision agriculture teams, and helped conduct a successful grain traceability proof-of-concept on his farm in Olney, Ill., in November 2017.
Thank you and congratulations to this year's recipients!
Jody Costa, Marketing Director with Barcoding Inc., presented by the Allied Providers Council
Randy Fry, Data Process and Information Systems Manager of Ceres Solutions, presented by the Ag Retailers Council
Christine Dingman, 2016 AgGateway Vice-Chair, presented by the Crop Nutrition Council
Dave Surber, Owner of Headwaters Business Solutions Inc., presented by the Crop Protection Council
Mary Tangen, Product Manager at DTN/The Progressive Farmer, presented by the Grain & Feed Council
Jeremy W. Wilson, Technology Specialist at Crop IMS, presented by the Precision Ag Council
Marcia Rhodus, Retail Business Solutions Specialist at Monsanto, presented by the Seed Council
Donald Green, Systems Analyst at Crop Production Services, presented by the Specialty Chemical Council
Two companies, Key Cooperative and ACS, were recognized by the board of directors with an AgGateway in Action Award as having made significant contributions in 2016 toward advancing eBusiness in agriculture. They were praised in particular for their leadership on seed connectivity projects at AgGateway that have greatly benefited the industry.
In addition, President & CEO Wendy Smith gave the 2016 President’s Award to Ben Craker, AGCO Product Manager for Data, Standards & Partnerships. Smith noted that Craker has done outstanding work this year in ways that support agricultural connectivity both domestically and internationally, and with companies throughout the agricultural supply chain to the grower.
Craker is active on AgGateway’s precision ag teams and the ADAPT Committee. He has made diligent efforts this year to strengthen communication and engagement between AgGateway and other standards organizations. He also represents AgGateway on the AgGateway Global Network Board of Directors.
The board recognized that SSI has been a steadfast supporter AgGateway; more than a dozen SSI professionals have participated in AgGateway activities. The team of SSI regularly provides valuable participation in councils, working groups and projects. They are recognized as dependable team members that deliver results either by being a silent contributor or taking lead roles in initiatives. Specifically in 2015, SSI has been very valuable in the Grain Council, Communications Committee and SPADE3 Project.