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Ag Leaders Recognized for Excellence

Kelly Marshall

AG_015.smThe Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City honored three individuals whose leadership in agriculture policy, practice and academia have contributed to the growth of the industry. The Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agriculture Leadership and Excellence was awarded to Senator Bob Dole, Dr. Brady Deaton, retired Chancellor of the University of Missouri, and Dee Likes, Chief Executive Emeritus of the Kansas Livestock Association.

“These three individuals have had a positive and lasting effect on our community. They are strong examples of what being an advocate for agriculture can accomplish,” says Mike Johanning, Chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

Sen. Dole holds the record as the nation’s longest serving Republican lawmaker. He is a national leader and Kansas legend, as well as 27-year veteran of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Sen. Dole worked on virtually every major piece of farm legislation during that time, but perhaps none was more important than the 1985 Farm Bill.

Dr. Deaton served as chancellor of the University of Missouri (MU) from 2004-2013, after joining the University as a professor and chair of the agricultural economics department in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in 1989. In 2011, President Barack Obama appointed Deaton the chairman of the Board for International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD). He is Director of the Deaton Institute for University Leadership in International Development at the University of Missouri.

Known as the “face of the Kansas livestock industry,” Thomas “Dee” Likes served as CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association for three decades, working tirelessly on behalf of Kansas livestock producers. During his tenure, Likes positioned KLA as one of the most respected lobbying organizations in Kansas. Most recently he received a commendation by proclamation from Governor Sam Brownback and the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives for the leadership he provided to cattle ranchers and the beef industry in the state.

The event was sponsored by John Deere and JE Dunn Construction.  Tom Brand, Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, served as master of ceremonies.

Agribusiness