Ag Ambassadors honored for promoting agriculture in their communities

The Steele County Free Fair is a place where area youth can earn recognition for their work with farm animals and agriculture. But, the youth aren’t the only ones who receive a little recognition during the fair. 
Each year, the Steele County Free Fair and KDHL radio take time to honor area adults who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote agriculture. Each year, they select finalists and name one individual as the Steele County Free Fair KDHL Southern Minnesota Ag Ambassador of the Year. 
This year’s ceremony took place on Saturday,  Aug. 22, just prior to the Open Class Holstein & MN District II Holstein Show at the Steele County Fairgrounds. As the exhibitors assembled inside the arena, a severe storm descended on the fairgrounds, sending many fair-goers scrambling for shelter. The exhibitors, however, were unfazed by the squall, and all three ag ambassador finalists braved the elements to attend the event. 
As always, this year’s finalists included three people who have worked tirelessly to share their knowledge of, and passion for, the field of agriculture. The 2015 finalists were Tim Larson, Mark Dietz and Conrad Kvamme. The three took turns speaking with KDHL’s Farm Director Jerry Groskreutz, who asked the finalists to share a little about themselves and their experiences in the industry. 
Larson, of Medford, teaches Ag Education/Technology courses at Medford High School and also revived the Medford FFA program around 16 years ago. (Currently, he serves as a co-advisor for the group.) He’s also involved with a number of other ag groups, including his local FFA Chapter. Larson stated that he has a passion for working with youth and strongly believes in the importance of organizations like these, which educate and inspire young minds. Last year, the Medford FFA General Livestock judging team even won the judging contest at the FFA State Convention. 
Although he now lives in Arlington, Minn. Kvamme said that it was fun to be at the Steele County Free Fair and enjoys spending time in this region of Minnesota. Over time, Kvamme has served as a chairman for eight different state livestock associations. He spoke about his role as a former Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association chair, and his appreciation for the Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair, which he helped establish. He taught the Beef Quality Assurance Program and also helped establish the Minnesota Foundation for Responsible Animal Care. He is also the owner of Orbit Farms.  
Dietz, a resident of Owatonna, has been involved with farming for the majority of his life. He owns a beef herd, which provides cow/calf pairs to 4-Hers, and has also been involved with the Owatonna High School Foundation, helping to make scholarships available to students with an interest in agriculture. He is a co-owner Mid-Sota Agronomy Products & Service, LLC, of Owatonna.  
Groskreutz noted that finalists for the award are usually very humble and express surprise at being nominated. “This is our way to say thank you and to recognize them for promoting ag,” he said. 
During the program, Kvamme was named the Steele County Free Fair KDHL Southern Minnesota Ag Ambassador of the Year. Kvamme was honored by the announcement, but was also quick to note that his efforts and accomplishments were the result of teamwork and community support.
“I love agriculture, but it’s a field where you don’t do anything alone,” he said. “I think one of the greatest things is to think of ideas and help put them into other productive people’s minds.” 
Kvamme believes that the American agricultural industry benefits people all across the globe. “In America, we really produce and we feed the world,” he said. 
He also took a moment to recognize Dietz and Larson, noting that they were equally deserving of the recognition. 
Kvamme believes that programs such as 4-H are important because it helps teach youth (and even adults) about the essential agricultural processes that provide society with food, clothing and a multitude of other resources. He also stressed the importance of programs that enable “city kids,” with little farming experience, to become immersed in the agricultural world. 
His own children have also taken an interest in the field, and Kvamme notes that his father also believed in developing a close relationship with the earth’s fertile soil and animals. He likens his father to “the Horse Whisper,” explaining that farmers from near and far would call upon him to help them with their uncooperative animals. His father had a special ability to connect with the animals, gain their trust and persuade them to cooperate. “Guys would just stand there, mesmerized,” he said. “He had an innate ability to perceive what (the animals) were thinking and what they needed.” 
For Kvamme, who began helping with chores in the barn before he reached his third birthday, being named the Ag Ambassador of the Year was a great honor. It also provides him with yet another opportunity to share his message about the importance of agriculture, and he plans to continue sharing that message for many years to come.