Alaska seeking farm family nominations

Jun 02, 2015

Winners will be honored at Alaska State Fair

Alaska’s Department of Agriculture is asking the public to submit their nominations for the 16^th Annual Farm Family of the Year Award.

Father and children on farm

The award, established in 2000, honors the farm family in Alaska that best shows the spirit of the state’s agricultural industry and shows appreciation for the hardworking people who dedicate themselves to agriculture and aquaculture.

Nominations should include some of the following information about the farm families:

Crop production (not based on how much)
Any community involvement
Involvement with agricultural organizations (local, state and federal levels)
Family image, farming history, etc.

The selection committee is made up of people from the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Extension and Alaska State Fair.

The winning family will be honored at the Alaska State Fair Director’s Reception on Thursday, August 27.

In 2014, Alaska’s top agricultural commodity was hay, producing more than $9 million worth.

Alaska isn’t the only state looking to honor and showcase their farm families.

The University of Minnesota is also looking for families who best exemplify their passion for the agriculture industry and what it means to local and surrounding communities.

One family from each county will be selected and the winners will be celebrated on Thursday, August 6^th at Farmfest.

Tell us your thoughts on what makes a great farm family. What kind of qualities should they possess?

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.