By Cheryl Tevis

Iowa Women in Agriculture (IWIA) is accepting nominations for two outstanding Iowa farm women. The nomination deadline for the Lifetime Achievement and the Winds of Change Up-and-Comer Awards is Dec. 15.

The IWIA’s 2024 award recipients are Pam Johnson of Floyd County and Maggie Muller of Cass County.

Johnson, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, served as president of the National Corn Gowers Association in 2012-2013, the first woman to assume this role. As a board member of the MAIZALL Alliance — an international group of American, Brazilian and Argentinian corn growers — she traveled to China, Uganda, the World Food Security Summit and the United Nations Food and Agriculture meeting. Johnson also was active in the leadership of the U.S. Grains Council. She and her husband, the late Maurice Johnson, farmed together for more than 40 years.

"I'm an ordinary farmer who was able to do extraordinary work," Johnson said as she accepted the award. "I was the shy kid who went on to travel the world and speak to many audiences on behalf of the women and men who grow corn. I learned to get out of my comfort zone and lean on the support and encouragement of others. Friends, colleagues, my husband and kids always were in my corner."

Related:NASDA honors Iowan Bill Northey

Maggie Muller, the 2024 recipient of the Winds of Change Up and Comer Award, launched a value-added business with her husband, Kelly, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mullers are the sixth generation to raise livestock and grow crops in Noble Township near Griswold, Iowa. Their business, Noble Provisions, provides high-quality, locally raised meat directly. Their grass-started and grain-finished beef employs regenerative agriculture to protect the land. They market their products through the weekly "Produce in the Park" in Atlantic, a Farm to School program with the Atlantic Community School District, and through their website and Facebook page. Noble Provisions donates 10% of proceeds to local food pantries, food security programs and others in need.

Nominations open

Nominations now are open for both the IWIA Lifetime Achievement and the Winds of Change awards. Please provide details of:

Submit via email by Dec. 15 to [email protected]. Visit Iowa Women in Agriculture's Facebook page or iowawomeninag.org/nominate for details on the nomination process and criteria.

Related:Bill Northey was a leader in improving water quality, conservation

The 2025 award recipients will be recognized at the Iowa Women in Agriculture annual conference on July 31 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

Tevis is a founding member of the Iowa Women in Agriculture.