COLUMBUS -- Several area stewards of the land were acknowledged at the 2008 Rural Recognition Banquet for their hard work and commitment.
The 40th annual event took place Monday evening at Platte County Agricultural Park. The recognitions honored men and women who have had successful careers in farming.
Members of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee chose the winners. Three “outstanding” awards were given to individuals and another to a pioneer agribusiness.
Honored as the Outstanding Woman in Agriculture was Nancy Stuthman of Platte Center.
Stuthman was a charter member of Platte County Cattlewomen and a lifetime member of the Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers group. She has been president of the Pork Council Women three times and is currently the state director for Nebraska Pork Council Women. She has worked with Lakeview FFA, is a 4-H leader and kept records for the Platte County fair swine show and served as a fair superintendent.
She and her husband, Sen. Arnie Stuthman, have been involved in agriculture education for teachers and students. The two have farmed for 45 years and have raised corn, soybeans and alfalfa. They operate a feed yard, cow-calf herd and an Isowean pig operation.
Ken and Dan Potter were given the Outstanding Area Farmers award. The two own and operate Junction Farms Inc. in rural Rising City, a poultry operation started by their father Bill in 1969.
Originally a 30,000 bird house, the poultry operation is located in Butler County and has 330,000 birds in three poultry houses. It has produced more than 1 billion eggs since 1969. In 2007, more than 87 million eggs along with corn and soybeans were produced.
The brothers also farm 960 acres of row crops with the majority being irrigated and located in Butler and Polk counties. The two are pursuing ways to use poultry manure, increased feeding efficiencies of layer hens and better row crop production practices for their grain operation.
The Outstanding Senior Farmer was Earl Wendt of rural Clarkson. Wendt has served on the Colfax County Commissioners, is a member of the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency of Aging, a board member of the East Central District Health Department and a member of American Legion Post 302.
He has served as president of Colfax County Feeders Association, served on the Colfax County Fair Board as beef superintendent and served on the Leigh Co-op Board. He first started farming in 1947 and moved with his wife, Joy, to Platte County after being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1954.
He currently has a cow-calf operation and raises alfalfa in Colfax County.
CSS Farms Inc. of Duncan received the recipient of the Agribusiness Pioneer award. The business grows chip potatoes for Frito-Lay. It started in Watertown, S.D., and moved the field portion of the chip operation to Nebraska in 1993.
The chip to French fry productions were established in Columbus, Monroe and Duncan in 1994. In 1998, CSS Farms built the storage and process facility in Duncan to hold 400,000 hundredweight.
The business farms land in Nance, Merrick, Polk and Platte counties. Between 1,500-2,000 acres of potatoes are farmed each year. General Manager of the operation is Wade Ferguson.
The business employs 15 full-time employees and hires an additional 10 employees during the harvest season.
The Platte County Agriculture Society Hall of Fame Award went to Dan Kruse, who served on the Platte County Ag Society Board from 1986-1992 and 1994-2000, and Lorenz Rodehorst, who served on the Platte County Ag Society Board from 1972-1979 and 1985-1991.
Awards also were given out to those who have supported the 4-H organization.
Lucas Luckey, president of the 4-H Council, said 4-H is the largest youth organization in the world. He said the success of the program relies on volunteers who serve as leaders.
“In Platte County, over 500 youth rely on 300 leaders to help them learn, discover and enjoy their 4-H experience,” Luckey said. “Tonight we recognize some of our most valuable leaders. Those who have made volunteering with the program part of their lives.”
Those recognized for 10 years of service included Janet Eisenmenger, Mary Hall, Kelli Morris, Mary Ann Schreiber and Karen Swartz. For 15 years was Nila Novotny. For 20 years was Cecilia Stenzel. Merline Sprunk was honored for 30 years. Phyllis Laudenklos was lauded for serving 50 years and also received a Meritorious Service Award.
Friends of 4-H recognitions also were given to Janette Abbott and Platte Center Elementary School for their continued support of the program.
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