Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce visited seven farmers this month touring their operations and presenting them with Agricultural Achievement Awards on behalf of Gov. Jay Nixon.

The Governor's Award for Agricultural Achievement honors outstanding farmers, growers and processors for their work with agricultural commodities and their communities. "Missouri's economy depends on the innovation, dedication and resilience of our farm families, who work each and every day to strengthen their communities and feed, fuel and clothe the world," Nixon noted in a press release.

"Great leaders are essential to any industry," added Fordyce. "And we are fortunate to have so many extraordinary producers who work tirelessly to promote their commodity, and in turn, all of agriculture."

Here is the list of award recipients:

Beef--Glen Cope, Aurora

Cope works a 2,500-acre operation in Barry and Stone counties in partnership with his father and brother. The family manages a 550-head commercial cow-calf herd and run several head of stocker cattle. A fourth generation cattle producer, Cope serves as chairman of the Missouri Beef Industry Council board of directors and MFA District 12 board of directors.

Conservation--Andy Kapp, Clarksdale

Kapp farms 2,000 acres and raise Angus beef cattle in DeKalb County where he grows corn and soybeans. The use of precision agriculture in his corn and soybean fields contributes to nutrient maintenance and efficient land stewardship. A fourth generation farmer, he says conservation efforts will help keep the farm in the family for years to come.

Poultry--Jay and Carol Maddick, Lathrop

The Maddicks own Campo Lindo Farms, where they raise free-range chickens and produce brown eggs on 280 acres in Clinton County. Campo Lindo Farms raises chickens in small groups in hoop barns and layer hens that supply Grade A Large and Medium brown eggs.

Dairy--Paul Heins, Higginsville

A fifth generation farmer, Heins and his family operate Heins Dairy where they milk about 650 Holstein cows each day. A lot has changed since the farm's beginning in 1851. A major remodel in 2009 brought cutting-edge technology to the dairy farm. Today, the Heins' have a state-of-the-art milking parlor, which makes it possible for one person to milk 100 cows in an hour. Their herd produces roughly 6,000 gallons of milk per day.

Pork--Brent Sandidge, Marshall

Under the management of Sandidge, Ham Hill Farms raises pork and grain products. Sandidge and his wife are third generation farmers, and work every day to ensure the productivity and health of the more than 3,000 swine so that they can pass the farm on to their son one day. Sandidge also strives for the betterment of Missouri agriculture through promotion of the industry.

Rice--Jason Bean, Peach Orchard

A fifth generation farmer, Bean operates a 14,000-acre row crop farm in southeast Missouri, consisting of rice, corn and soybeans. His family farm has the ability to deliver more than 750,000 pounds of rough rice daily.

Cotton--Riley James, New Madrid

A.C. Riley Cotton Co. grows cotton and soybeans. James is a board member of the Missouri Cotton Growers' Organization and was the 2014 president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He and his family own and manage cotton gins and grain elevators in southeast Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Governor's Office contributed to this article.