During the closing session of the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting the organization presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Ambassadors Dr. Richard Crowder and Dr. Kenneth Quinn.

AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving agriculture.

With more than 40 years of experience in the agriculture and food sector, Crowder has dedicated his career to advancing the farming and ranching industry. He served as the U.S. chief agriculture negotiator from January 2006 to May 2007, with the rank of ambassador, and as a senior advisor to the U.S. trade representative from May 2007 to April 2008. Prior, he served as the chief executive officer of the American Seed Trade Association.

Dr. Quinn, former U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, has served as president of the World Food Prize Foundation since January 2000. Under Dr. Quinn’s direction, the stature of the annual $250,000 World Food Prize award has helped significantly expand the size and scope of World Food Day, the World Food Prize Laureate Award, the “Borlaug Dialogue” international symposium and the Global Youth Institute.

Prior to his work at the World Food Prize Foundation, Quinn served at the State Department for 32 years in the Foreign Service. He served in such positions as a rural development advisor in the Mekong Delta, on the National Security Council staff at the White House and as director of Iowa SHARES, the humanitarian campaign that sent Iowa doctors, nurses, medical supplies and food to starving Cambodian refugees. He is one of the most decorated Foreign Service officers of his generation, recognized for the important role he’s played in humanitarian endeavors.

I was able to record Dr. Quinn’s remarks after accepting his award. Love his energy!

You can listen to Dr. Quinn’s remarks here: Dr. Kenneth Quinn Remarks

2013 American Farm Bureau Convention Photo Album