State Fair to Honor Missouri Women’s Contributions to Agriculture

Deadline to Enter is June 5

(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Applications are currently being accepted for the third annual Missouri Woman in Agriculture Contest, hosted by the Missouri State Fair to honor the significant contributions women make to the state’s leading industry. Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced that the title will be awarded in two age divisions, with each winner receiving a $1,000 donation from Monsanto for a non-profit, agriculture-related cause of her choice.

Contest applications and rules are available online at mostatefair.com/ag-contest, with entries being accepted through June 5, 2015. Interested applicants can also receive a copy of the documents in the mail, by calling the Fair at 800-422-FAIR (3247).

“We are thrilled to offer this contest to applaud Missouri women for their many contributions to our state’s leading industry,” Wolfe said. “Monsanto has graciously offered to partner with us on the contest again this year, and we are thankful for their monetary donation on behalf of the winners.”

Women ages 31 and older will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Award, and women 18-30 will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Rising Star Award. Honorees will be selected based on several factors, including leadership roles in Missouri agriculture, endeavors to perpetuate the industry and Fair participation. Each of the winners will receive a plaque and $1,000 donation to a non-profit, agriculture-related cause of her choice. A runner-up in each age division will receive a recognition plaque and all entrants will receive a certificate of acknowledgement. 2013 and 2014 Woman in Agriculture first place winners are not eligible to apply; however, previous applicants and second place winners are eligible to apply in 2015.

Last year, the recipient of the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Award was Tammy Bartholomew, of Archie, and the Rising Star Award winner was Ashlyn Richardson, of Lincoln. The Missouri FFA Leadership Fund was the recipient of Bartholomew’s donation and the Missouri State Fair Foundation Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund received Richardson’s.

This year’s contest winners will be honored Aug. 20 at the 2015 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Special promotions focusing on women will be offered this day, including free gate admission for all women and a free Missouri Travel Council Celebrating Women showcase in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall.

The 113th annual Missouri State Fair, themed “Show Offs Welcome” will be held Aug. 13-23 in Sedalia. For more information about the Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Missouri State Fair on Facebook and Twitter or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

State Fair to Honor Missouri Women’s Contributions to Agriculture