The America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest program, sponsored by Monsanto, honors the contributions farm moms make to their families, their communities and across the entire agriculture industry.

The 2016 national winner was Mary Courtney, Bagdad, Kentucky. She and her husband and four children raise burley tobacco, grain, cattle and mixed wholesale produce.

Courtney created various agriculture literacy efforts, including a "Touch the Dirt Day." She is also involved in the Kentucky Farm Bureau and is a director for Farm Credit Mid-America.

Mary Courtney

Mary Courtney

Courtney was a regional winner before being named the national winner. The other regional winners in 2016: Karen Kasper, Owatonna, Minnesota, Midwest; Ann Stamp, Cranston, R.I., Northeast; Katie Heger, Underwood, N.D., Northwest, and Nikki Weathers, Yuma, Colo., Southwest.

“Looking at our previous Farm Mom of the Year winners, one commonality stood out – their dedication to their communities,” said Tracy Mueller, Monsanto marketing communications manager. “This year we’ve enhanced the program to further highlight farm moms’ efforts in their local communities and provide financial support to nonprofit organizations they care about.”

Nominate an eligible exceptional farm mom for the chance to be named America’s Farmers Mom of the Year through March 31. A panel of judges from American Agri-Women will judge the nominations based on published criteria and Monsanto will select five regional winners based on the judges’ decisions.

Each of the regional winners will receive $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit organization of her choice, as well as $3,000 for her personal use. Among the five regional winners, one woman will be named America’s Farmers Mom of the Year based on public voting and receive an additional $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit she cares about in her community.

Nominate your favorite mom
To nominate your favorite farm mom, an eligible person can visit AmericasFarmers.com and complete an online entry or print a form for mailing by March 31, 2017. Nominations are limited to 300 words and should include details about the nominee’s contributions to her farm, family, community and the agricultural industry.

For the Official Contest Rules, including a complete list of program rules and eligibility information, please visit AmericasFarmers.com/community-outreach/farm-mom-program-rules/. More information on the America’s Farmers Farm Mom of the Year program can also be found at facebook.com/AmericasFarmers.

“It’s so humbling to read about all of the amazing farm moms who give so much of themselves and ask for nothing in return,” says Doris Mold, American Agri-Women president. AAW is the nation's largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women and includes members from more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates.

Source: Monsanto