NORFOLK, Neb. – Each year, Northeast Community College recognizes the vital role that women play in agriculture and honors one individual during its AgCeptional Women’s Conference in the fall. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 AG-ceptional Woman of the Year Award, which will be presented during the 15th Annual AG-ceptional Women’s Conference on Fri., Nov. 17, in the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.
The recipient will be featured in a video tribute sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.
Tara Smydra, dean of science, technology, agriculture, and math, said she looks forward to honoring all women in the industry during the annual event.
“This will be our 15th annual conference and we are looking forward to honoring our outstanding women of agriculture. An AgCeptional woman is someone who has made exceptional contributions to agriculture. The term AgCeptional pertains to any aspect of agriculture where excellence is demonstrated,” Smydra said. “By design, there are no specific criteria that must be followed in order to nominate someone for the AgCeptional Woman of the Year Award. You simply have to believe that a woman is ‘AgCeptional’ and then tell us why.”
Anita Keys, Elsmere, was named the 2022 Ag-ceptional Woman of the Year during last year’s conference. Other past AG-ceptional Woman of the Year honorees include Joan Ruskamp, Dodge (2021), Lisa Kruger, Columbus (2020); Lisa Lunz, Wakefield (2019); Shana Beattie, Sumner (2018); Liz Doerr, Creighton (2017); Anne Meis, Elgin (2016); Karen Grant, Meadow Grove (2015); Dawn Winkelbauer, Norfolk (2014); Jan Frenzen, Fullerton (2013) Nancy Kirkholm, Homer (2012); Jan Miller, Belden (2011); and Bonnie Schulz, Battle Creek (2010).
The deadline for nominating the 2023 AG-ceptional Woman of the Year recipient is April 30. Nomination forms are available online at neccweb.azureedge.net/documents/agceptional/NominationForm.pdf. To learn more about the Agceptional Women’s Conference, visit northeast.edu/events/agceptional.
For more information, contact Karmen Hake at khake1@northeast.edu or call (402) 844-7181.
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