MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) earned a New Horizon award for the planning and implementation of Kansas Farm Bureau Health Plans at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) virtual convention this week.
The award recognizes states with the most innovative new programs.
“It’s an honor to receive recognition for the work we do on behalf of our members,” KFB President Rich Felts says. “For too long, affordable healthcare was an obstacle for Kansas farmers and ranchers. Kansas Farm Bureau Health Plans is now covering more than 7,300 Kansans with plans that fit their lifestyles and budgets.”
KFB also received Awards of Excellence in all four program areas of Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; and Membership Value.
Dickinson County Farm Bureau’s Ag Story Walk was one of 12 county Farm Bureau programs to receive AFBF recognition as part of the County Activities of Excellence.
Jackie Mundt, Pratt County, won the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award. Mundt will receive a new Ford truck and paid registration to the AFBF Fusion Conference, which will be held virtually in March.
Garrett Love, Gray County, placed third in the YF&R Discussion Meet; John Buttenhoff, Lincoln County, competed in the YF&R Achievement Award; and Kansas-based Row Shaver Systems was a semi-finalist in the Ag Innovation Challenge.
In other business, Rich Felts, Montgomery County, was re-elected to the AFBF Board of Directors; Marieta Hauser, Grant County, was re-elected to AFBF’s Women’s Leadership Committee; and April Castle, Linn County, was elected secretary of AFBF YF&R Committee.
During the virtual delegate session, key topics ranged from farm diversity to farm labor and dairy policy to livestock marketing.