By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent
 
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is looking for a few good women.

Purdue’s Women in Agriculture (WIA) team is again accepting applications for its annual achievement and leadership awards to recognize women who have influenced agriculture.

“Women have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry, and these awards are a way to thank them for the work they have done,” said Stacy Clupper, a Purdue extension educator in Blackford County and a member of the WIA team.

The Achievement Award recognizes women involved with production agriculture on their farms or agribusinesses, or those who have started businesses related to agriculture.

The Leadership Award recognizes women who have roles in agriculture leadership, advocacy for the industry or influence on agriculture policy.

Each nominee can be considered for only one category; deadline for applications is June 2. Nomination forms are available at www.ces.purdue.edu /wia or by contacting Clupper at 765-348-3213 or by e-mailing cluppers@ purdue.edu

The awards will be presented Aug. 15 during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair. Award winners will be presented with a gift and free registration to the next Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference in February 2009.

Kenda Resler Friend, corporate communications leader of Dow AgroSciences, won the 2007 Leadership Award. She is active in a variety of organizations relating to agriculture, is a strong supporter of agriculture and became an advocate for ag and agribusiness.
Susan Arnholt of Columbus received the Achievement Award in 2007. She helps farm several hundred acres and is active in the community.

“She demonstrated a commitment to agriculture that we were looking for,” Clupper said.

Purdue’s WIA program started four years ago to create involvement and support for women through educational and networking opportunities. Visit the above-mentioned website for more information.