3/1/99

Contacts:
Keith Heffernan, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, (515) 294-0670
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

TERRY BRANSTAD TO RECEIVE VISION AWARD AT NATIONAL AG FORUM

AMES -- Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is the 1999 recipient of the Bob Pim Agricultural Vision Award. The award was presented to Branstad at the National Forum for Agriculture on Monday, March 1.

Branstad, who served as governor from 1982 to 1998, has been recognized statewide and nationally for his leadership in agriculture. He led the state through the farm crisis of the 1980s, identifying steps to address the financial difficulties facing agriculture. He served as chair of the National Governors Association's agriculture committee, as well as chair of the entire organization. He has been a strong supporter of value-added agriculture in Iowa, including being an early supporter for the increased use of ethanol.

Branstad has been a long-time advocate for increasing international agricultural trade. During his tenure, he traveled to many parts of the country and the world to promote Iowa agricultural products. In 1988 he convened the World Food Conference, which brought international policymakers to Iowa to discuss the role food plays in international diplomacy.

The Bob Pim Agricultural Vision Award was established by the National Forum for Agriculture in 1992 to recognize those who have provided inspiration in fostering growth and innovation in agriculture and agriculture-related business. The award is named in honor of Bob Pim, one of the forum's founders.

Past recipients of the award are:

• John Ruan, chairman, World Food Prize Foundation, and chairman and CEO, Ruan Financial
• Cooper Evans, former special assistant to the President of the United States for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance
• C.G. "Charlie" Scruggs, retired vice president and editor, Progressive Farmer magazine
• Neal Smith, former U.S. Congressman, 1958-94
• Thomas Urban, former chair, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and senior lecturer, Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University
• Robert Thompson, president, Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development
• Jerry Caulder, founder and past chairman and CEO, Mycogen Corp.

Since 1990 the National Forum for Agriculture has featured discussions of national issues affecting U.S. agriculture. Each year the forum focuses on a particular aspect of agricultural policy, technology or economics. This year the forum addressed the implications of climate change on agriculture and energy.

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