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Kansas Farmers Union Boyda receives Hirsch Award from KFU McPHERSON, Kan. – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., was honored by the Kansas Farmers Union for her work on behalf of the state’s agricultural producers during the organization’s annual meeting held Jan. 11-12 in McPherson. Boyda received the 2008 Ruth Hirsch Award, which is given annually to an individual who has provided outstanding leadership and dedication to Kansas family farmers. Considered the most prestigious award given by the state organization, it is named after Ruth Hirsch who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Kansas Farmers Union and its members. In his remarks during the awards presentation, KFU President Donn Teske said that it gave him “great pleasure” to present the award to Boyda, who has shown outstanding dedication and service to agriculture and to Kansans in the short time she has served in the House of Representatives. Boyda, who represents the Kansas Second Congressional district, is a first-term member of the House. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, she immediately jumped into the fire in hammering out the House version of the 2007 Farm Bill, drawing on input from her constituents and the Kansas and National Farmers Union organizations in crafting the bill. She is a member of the Farmers Union and has also received the Golden Triangle Award from the National Farmers Union for her work on agriculture-related issues. National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, who was present at the convention banquet, also applauded Boyda for her work on the Farm Bill and other issues relevant to rural America during his remarks to convention attendees. Awards were also presented to: John Rempe, Nemaha County, was named the Farmers Union County President of the Year. Rempe serves as the Nemaha County Farmers Union president and retired this year as vice president of the KFU Board of Directors. As county president, Rempe has been active in recruiting members to the Farmers Union, held a number of meetings and has been involved in numerous state and national meetings and activities. He has participated in lobbying efforts in Topeka, making several trips in support of KFU activities. Fred Behrens, Marshall County, received the Farmers Union Agent of the Year Award for his work in actively promoting Farmers Union and family farming. He has actively recruited membership and has supported Marshall County Farmers Union activities and provided general support to the Farmers Union organization. Dan Nagangast, Douglas County, received the Meritorious Service to Agriculture Award. Nagangast is director of the Kansas Rural Center, co-chairs the Governor’s Rural Life Task Force and heads the Kansas Food Policy Council. Nagangast has been very involved in issues supported by the Kansas Farmers Union and has worked to develop sustainable and alternative agriculture practices through both his “day jobs” and his work on his own cut-flower farm in Douglas County.
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