FORMER IOWA AGRICULTURE SECRETARY, AN AG BROADCASTING LEGEND, AND AN ISU EXTENSION CROP SPECIALIST NAMED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO AG WINNERS AT 95TH IOWA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 6, 2013 - Patty Judge is a trailblazer in Iowa agriculture, serving as the state's first woman to be elected Secretary of Agriculture, where she served two terms; Mark Pearson, the late host of IPTV's "Market to Market" and the "Big Show" on WHO Radio, was a household name for many Iowans; and George Cummins, retired crop specialist with ISU Extension Service, who still uses his agronomy background and farming experiences to serve as an advocate for agriculture. The efforts of these Iowans help the cause of Iowa agriculture and rural communities over the past few decades. Their work has earned Judge, Pearson, and Cummins the 2013 Iowa Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture award. They were recognized during the Iowa Farm Bureau (IFBF) annual meeting in Des Moines, Dec. 4.
The award honors individuals who have played a significant role in the agricultural industry at the local, state and/or national level. This is the 35th year for the award. The three winners received plaques honoring their achievements and will be added to a permanent display at IFBF headquarters in West Des Moines.
Patty Judge
With years of experience in the healthcare field, efforts to promote rural Iowa, and public service, Judge spent her life promoting the state of Iowa.
After a career in healthcare as a registered nurse, Judge turned her attention to public service. Judge was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. During her six years in the senate, Judge held numerous leadership positions including: assistant majority and minority leader, ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, member of the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Health and Human Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Economic Development Committee. She also served as chair of the Regulation and Administration Appropriations Subcommittee.
In 1998, Judge became the first woman in Iowa to be elected Secretary of Agriculture. She served the role for two terms, following re-election in 2002. Judge and her family have owned a cow/calf farm in Monroe County for over 40 years. Her knowledge and experience of production agriculture help her effectively work with leaders to increase market opportunities for Iowa's agricultural products. Judge traveled the world, leading trade missions on behalf of corn growers, soybean growers, and livestock producers. Judge's legacy as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture is tied to her tireless promotion of renewable fuels, allowing renewable energy to become an integral part of Iowa's economy under her leadership.
In addition to working on the family farm, Judge owns and operates her own strategic planning business.
Mark Pearson
If you have farming ties in Iowa, chances are good you listened to the late Mark Pearson. As former host of IPTV's 'Market to Market' for over 20 years and 1,000 episodes and longtime farm broadcaster and host of WHO Radio's 'Big Show', Pearson, was heard by nearly one million listeners and viewers.
In addition to serving as an agriculture personality on television and radio, Pearson worked as the Markets Editor for Successful Farming and as Iowa's Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. In 1980, he received the most coveted award in agricultural broadcasting, the DeKalb Oscar. In 1986 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a Military Intelligence Officer and eventually earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
In 1995, Pearson and his family moved to a farm in east Peru, Iowa, where he built a diversified grain and livestock operation. Pearson was a popular speaker for farm, business, and financial gatherings across the country.
Pearson developed a reputation as someone able to bridge the gap between rural and urban America through his work on television, radio, business, and public speaking engagements. He will be remembered for an incredible work ethic and an unwavering commitment to agriculture and rural Iowa.
George Cummins
Cummins is well renowned for his unique combination of agricultural experience and knowledge coupled with the ability to teach others. Cummins has amazed those in the agricultural community with his animated and engaging seminars and training sessions, all the way up to his retirement. Although officially retired, one doesn't have to look hard to find Cummins actively engaged in Iowa agriculture.
Cummins moved to Floyd County in 1981 as the new ISU County Extension agent. Loyalty to the land grant college system and commitment to his farmer clients earned Cummins the reputation as a strong leader for agriculture. Cummins orchestrated the countywide Floyd County Agricultural Development Authority (FCADA), a coalition of agricultural producers, businesses, and industry leaders to promote economic growth. The multi-year leadership development program provided the dialogue and laid the groundwork for regional economic advancement.
Early in life, Cummins developed the same beliefs as his role model, Dr. Norman Borlaug. Using Borlaug's work as inspiration, Cummins had an integral role in the creation of the Borlaug Learning Center located at the ISU Research Farm near Nashua. Cummins has been recognized for his inherent desire to assist others in improving their lives through agricultural education. His guidance and mentoring of young people while showing our role in feeding the world has earned the respect and admiration of many in the agricultural community.
