The American Agri-Women (AAW) have elected officers and recognized outstanding contributors at their 38th annual convention recently in Niagara Fall, New York.

AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. The convention included meetings in Niagara Falls as well as meetings and tours in Ontario, Canada, which were sponsored by several Canadian ag groups. This was the first time AAW collaborated with Canadian women for its annual convention.

There new national officer slate for the upcoming year includes:
• President: Sue McCrum, Mars Hill, Maine
• Past-President: Karen Yost, Billings, Montana
• First Vice President for Resolutions & Vital Issues: Doris Mold, St. Paul, Minn.
• Secretary: Lisa Condon, Horicon, Wis.
• Treasurer: Peggy Clark, Dayton, Ohio
• Vice President of Education: Kris Zilliox, Omaha, Neb.
• Vice President of Communications: Lynn Woolf, Milton, Kan.

The highest honor given to non-members is the VERITAS Award. This year it was presented to Richard Ulrich, the senior advisor on industry engagement at the Canadian Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The VERITAS award is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the pursuit of truth.”

The LEAVEN award is the organization’s highest honor given to AAW members. This year it was awarded to:
• Frances Hendricks, Aumsville, Ore.
• Penny Lauritzen, Lanark, Ill.,
• Kris Zilliox, Omaha Neb.