Marla Behrends, left, and Linda Olson were presented with the Meritorious Service in Communications award from the American Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for the Illinois Farm Families Chicago Moms Program by Jerry Hicks, regional Council member for ASFMRA during the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers in East Peoria.

Behrends, who is industry relations manager with the Midwest Dairy Association, and Olson, manager of communications for the Illinois Farm Bureau, accepted the award on behalf of the Chicago Moms Program. The program, which was launched in 2012, involves hosting Chicago-area mothers visiting Illinois farm families for on-farm experiences and inside looks at how food is grown, processed and delivered to grocery stores. During the tours they meet farmers and can ask questions related to growing food and about animal care, antibiotics, hormones, biotechnology and any other topics that interest them. Those ‘mom’s who make the visits then post blogs on their experiences at www.WatchUsGrow.org.

The program is underwritten by Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Beef Association. The award from ASFMRA acknowledges an individual, company, or association involved in the area of communications that has promoted understanding and goodwill between producers and consumers of agricultural products. The Illinois Society is largest of the 28 ASFMRA chapters around the country.