Deb Reinhart, New Holstein, was recognized as a true promoter of agriculture, being named the 2016 AgVocate of the Year at the Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit held March 4 and 5 in Madison. More than 325 women were in attendance to celebrate their role in agriculture at the event, hosted by Badgerland Financial, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and UW-Extension.
Deb and her husband, David Geiser, of Golden Star Farms, have welcomed visitors to their 300-cow dairy farm and shared the story of agriculture with countless students and professionals since they started farming more than 40 years ago. While the work on the farm keeps Deb extremely busy, the role that she is most proud of is ‘mentor,’ including all of the students she has mentored over the years through college and tech school programs as well as the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Mentor program.
“We have to keep telling our story because the people that will tell it for us won’t get it right, won’t say it the way we want them to and who knows better than us to tell our ag story. Farming is our way of life and we live on the land and support our local communities. I’m humbled and honored to be your AgVocate and thank you for lifting me up in this way,” said Reinhart upon receiving her award.
Since 2013, the Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit has recognized an AgVocate of the Year. This award is given to a woman who actively and positively represents agriculture to both her peers and those outside of the agriculture community. She works to tell agriculture’s story in a professional manner and is seen as a leader and voice for local and state issues and events. Previous AgVocate award winners include: Daphne Holterman (Watertown), Laura Daniels (Cobb), Karyn Schauf (Barron) and Nodji VanWychen (Warrens).
The Summit’s planning committee invites women to save the date for the 2017 Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit, to be held March 10-11 at the Madison Marriot West in Middleton. For event details, visit wiagwomenssummit.com.
Deb’s acceptance speech can be viewed and shared here: http://on.fb.me/1U42XwZ.
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