A big congratulations goes to the four Heartland leaders for their recent honors given by The Agriculture Business Council in Kansas City.

A packed house gathered within the historic walls of the Kansas City Club, May 22, 2009, to celebrate four of the region’s most inspiring business leaders being honored by The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. The 2009 Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence, named in honor of the late Jay B. Dillingham, was awarded to R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., UMB Financial Corporation; Joerg Ohle, Bayer Animal Health and Morton Sosland, Sosland Publishing for outstanding contributions to agricultural and food related businesses. The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year went to Gina Bowman, CVR Energy.

“These individuals are legacy builders. Their spirit, innovation and vision have had a positive and lasting effect on our community and the way the public perceives modern day agri-business. Agriculture is no longer just farming, ranching and processing – it also includes bio science and security, animal pharmaceuticals, energy and commerce. Their personal success and excitement for their own business enterprises has spilled over to create new business opportunities for so many others. That’s worth celebrating,” says Bob Petersen, chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

To read more about the winners’ many great achievements on behalf of the agriculture industry, link to the press release at AgriBusinessCouncil.