***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** Online link: Contact: Don Thorn 719-829-4483 Colorado FFA Foundation Inductees four members into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame and recognizes one rising star in Colorado Agriculture
With a near record attendance of over 490 people, The Colorado FFA Foundation inducted four honorees into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame recently. Mr. Thomas Bradbury, Centennial, Mr. Steve Gabel, Eaton, Mr. Harold Griffith, Fort Morgan, and Mr. Milan Rewerts, Fort Collins all were formally inducted into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame on February 18th during the 27th annual hall of fame banquet.
“The accomplishments of our honorees and how they have impacted agriculture across our state is powerful,” said Mark Reinert, Chairman of the Colorado FFA Foundation. “We were very pleased that so many people attended our event this year.
The Rising Star in Colorado Agriculture Award was also presented. This is the fifth year for recognition of up and coming leaders in agriculture. Members of the Hall of Fame will vote yearly on the winner of the Rising Star Award.
Dr. Kelcey Swyers an animal nutritionist from Fort Collins was the recipient this year.
“The Rising Star Award is still relatively new, but gains more and more traction each year,” said Reinert.
The Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame banquet was held in conjunction with the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture and is a prime opportunity to gauge the direction of the industry and learn about issues facing one of the largest industries in Colorado. Both the forum and the banquet are attended by industry and political leaders as well as family farmers and ranchers who lead and support the agriculture industry and its future.
Peers and business associates recognized the four inductees and the Rising Star during the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet, Feb. 18, 2016, at the Renaissance Hotel, Denver. The 2016 inductees will join 86 other outstanding Colorado agriculturists who have been similarly honored since 1989. All Agriculture Hall of Fame members’ portraits are displayed in the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education on CSU’s ARDEC campus.
Executive Level sponsors for the event were; American AgCredit, Bank of Colorado, Cargill, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado State University, Colorado Wheat and Plains Gold, Guaranty Bank and Trust, LaVaca Cattle Company and LactiPro Advance, Midwest PMS, Viaero, Vondy Ranch, and Western Dairy Association.
Hosted by the Colorado FFA Foundation, the banquet is held yearly to induct members into the Agriculture Hall of Fame who have significantly contributed to Colorado’s second largest industry. A unique, multi-media presentation highlights the life of each new inductee during the ceremony. Archive video footage of the event can be found at this link: https://livestream.com/BarnMedia/FCCAHOF2016.
The Colorado FFA Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the more than 6,400 FFA members in Colorado’s 104 chapters. FFA is a national organization of 610,240 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. ###
Short biographies of the inductees are included below.
2016 Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame nominees
Mr. Thomas Bradbury has been a leader in the Colorado livestock industry for many decades. As president of the American Hereford Association he was instrumental in improving the genetic base of the breed while helping develop a world-renowned branded beef program. He has also been very influential in the American Quarter Horse Association, serving as Director and President of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association. His leadership was essential in bringing Class A racing back to Colorado. Mr. Bradbury was also a key member of the National Western Stock Show Association that helped create the National Western Scholarship Trust, which now supports 80 college students annually in the area of agriculture and rural medicine. He has spent most of his adult life living in Byers and sharing his talents from the local school board, a founder of the rural telephone cooperative, to the numerous 4-H members he helped along the way. He is a true stockman, civic leader, and an accomplished businessman that has helped shape agriculture in Colorado and beyond.
Mr. Harold Griffith began farming and dairying in Morgan County shortly after high school. A strong family man, he instilled passion, work ethic, and high morals in his children and those around him. He has provided extensive leadership for the dairy industry in Colorado. The basis of his leadership has been developing programs for youth to become involved in agriculture through the Dairy Catch It Program with many participants pursing agriculture related careers after completing the program. Harold’s influence can best be seen through his knowledge of water rights in Colorado. His involvement in negotiating ditch water agreements ensured that farmers had proper water access to continue farming long term. He has mentored many Colorado producers in interpreting the water law helping them make sound management decisions. With his knowledge of Colorado water law he was asked to serve on Governor Ritter’s Water Task Force.
Mr. Steve Gabel is a fixture in the Colorado Beef Industry. He manages the commercial 22,000 head feedlot, Magnum Feedyard and also oversees production of Gabel Cattle LCC his families cow-calf operation. He considers volunteering and giving back to his industry as a crucial time investment. Serving as the chairman of the Colorado Beef Council for the last 15 years, President of Colorado Livestock Association, and an active member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association all have benefitted from his leadership. As the Weld County Livestock Volunteer Judging Coach he has taught hundreds of youth responsibility, work ethic, and a passion for agriculture, all while helping those students secure multiple state, regional, and national championships. As a result of their success under his leadership countless agricultural youth have secured scholarships to pursue their own interest in agriculture. Mr. Milan Rewerts served Colorado agriculture through a career in with CSU Cooperative Extension that spanned more than four decades. He assisted Colorado State University achieve it’s land grant mission in providing education about agriculture to consumers, producers, and families as well as maintaining a vibrant 4-H program for the youth of Colorado under his leadership as Director of CSU Extension. He maintained that Cooperative Extension should always provide excellent, relevant educational programs of social and economic importance to all Coloradoans. He was actively involved with a diverse group of agricultural, consumer, and youth organizations throughout his career. His innovative leadership and strong commitment to communication and teamwork among all Extension Specialists, County Commissioners, and administration at CSU led to his recognition as the outstanding Extension Director across the United States.
Rising Star in Colorado Agriculture
Dr. Kelcey Swyers is a product of 4-H, FFA, NJC, and CSU. She has served the private section in the area of animal nutrition working with all types of animals from pets to exotic zoo animals to domestic livestock. She now owns her own business, Grassland Nutrition Consulting and is considered a leading expert in the beef cattle nutrition field.