The Golden Plow award was given to Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) during the Farm Bureau Advocacy Conference that took place last week. AFBF President Zippy Duvall presented the award to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee- the highest honor given to members of Congress.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall (right) presents Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) with the Golden Plow award, the highest recognition the organization grants members of Congress.

Conaway was nominated by the Texas Farm Bureau who noted his dedication to the ag industry in his role of chairman. He was also closely involved with the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill and according to Duvall, remains involved in defending its programs and overseeing its implementation by the Agriculture Department.

Duvall also highlighted Conaway’s support for crop insurance. When a $3 billion cut was included in the bipartisan budget agreement, he led the fight to ensure funding would be restored in the final bill. More recently, his early involvement with the redrafting of federal dietary guidelines resulted in recommendations that were true to their intended purpose. And finally, Conaway was thanked for his leadership on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, GMO legislation, that Duvall said would not have passed the House without his efforts.

“We are tremendously pleased to be able to recognize Chairman Conaway for all the great things he has done for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Duvall. “Thank you for your dedicated service to agriculture and rural America.”