The passion Stacie Euken has for agriculture is clear from her countless leadership positions with various organizations and dedicated work to help tell the story of Iowa agriculture.  Euken’s commitment to youth interested in agriculture and contributions to the local community has earned this agricultural leader the 2015 Bob Joslin Excellence in Agriculture Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

Euken received the award at the 97th IFBF annual meeting in Des Moines on Dec. 2.  The award honors a young farmer who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities in Farm Bureau, agriculture, and his/her community.  Euken and her husband Eric own and operate a diversified farm operation near Wiota, consisting of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, a cow/calf herd, beef feedlot, and a small farrow-to-finish niche swine operation.    

“I encourage all the attendees here today to be more than just members, but to be a leader,” Euken said during her award acceptance speech.  Euken has been an active leader in Iowa agriculture for many years, first joining the Cass County Farm Bureau board of directors in 2008.  While serving on the county board, Euken has twice been elected membership chair, served as vice president, and is currently in her third year as the county president.  

Euken’s passion is sharing the story of Iowa agriculture with as many people as possible, and that includes helping others share that message.  Euken was instrumental in helping organize a Teachers Academy through the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation to provide farm tours to teachers and share ways to incorporate agriculture education into their classrooms.  Additionally, Euken volunteers for the Cass County 4-H, Atlantic FFA Alumni Chapter, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and is a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. 

As the Joslin Award winner, Euken receives a $1,500 Home and Workshop certificate from John Deere, the award sponsor, a 90-day no-principle and no-interest (NPNI) John Deere Financial Certificate up to $5,000, a $750 FAST STOP gift card from GROWMARK, and expense-paid trips to the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention in Orlando, and the 2016 GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago in August.

The Excellence in Ag Award is given in memory of Bob Joslin, who served as IFBF president from January 1986 to December 1987 and was known for his support and encouragement of young farmers.