Agricultural Business Council to Honor Three Agribusiness Leaders

January 11, 2016, KANSAS CITY, MO:  On March 10 at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in historic Union Station, the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor three of the region’s leading business figures who have been civic champions for agriculture in separate but very key issue areas in our region.

“These 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 Cliff Becker, Chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

The 2016 Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence, named in honor of the late Jay B. Dillingham, will be awarded to the Honorable Kit Bond, former U.S. Senator, Missouri, Dr. Bud Hertzog, Lee's Summit Animal Hospital, and Russ Weathers, CEO, Agriculture Future of America.

• Senator Kit Bond served four terms as U.S. Senator from Missouri. During his time in the U.S. Senate, he became a recognized expert and leader on a wide range of subjects, including international trade and Asia; transportation and economic development; cyberintelligence and national security; and plant biotechnology. He was a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ranking member and Chairman of the subcommittees that fund the nation's housing and transportation programs.
• Dr. Bud Hertzog is a partner in the Lee's Summit Animal Hospital, has been the official veterinarian for both the Kansas City Zoo and the Kansas City American Royal.  He is a past president of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association and past executive chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He also served on the Jackson County Legislature, the Lee's Summit School Board, as well as other civic organizations.
• Russ Weathers is chief executive officer of Agriculture Future of America. AFA was founded in 1996 and Russ became the organization's first executive in January 1997.  Under his leadership, AFA has grown to become the premiere agriculture organization for college students, preparing a new generation of agriculture leaders.  AFA has partnered with rural communities, colleges and universities, businesses, corporations, and foundations to provide more than $8 million dollars in leader and academic scholarships.

The March 10 event will be hosted at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in Union Station (30 W Pershing Rd in Kansas City, MO) at 11:30 a.m. for networking and noon for lunch.  Watch www.agbizkc.com for more information.