In March, past World Soy Foundation (WSF) chair and current board member Roy Bardole was recognized as an Iowa Master Farmer.

Former World Soy Foundation (WSF) chair and current board member Roy Bardole was recognized as an Iowa Master Farmer in March 2014. Credit: WSF

Initiated in 1926, the Iowa Master Farmer Award recognizes deserving Iowa farm families every year, with the exception of 1932-37—during the Great Depression.

The award is given to farmers who assume leading roles in agriculture, citizenship and good family living. The motto for those chosen is “Good Farming, Clear Thinking and Right Living.” Roy, from Rippey, Iowa, is a fifth-generation farmer and believes it to be his responsibility to contribute to a better tomorrow with a generation that can think and reason better.

The WSF can attest to Roy’s dedication to help and inspire others. Roy has been involved with the Foundation since the beginning and is an innovative leader of the industry. He believes he’s not just growing soybeans and corn, but growing the food and feed that will eventually become protein—the primary building block for malnourished people.

We want to congratulate Roy and his family on winning the Iowa Master Farmer Award and thank them for their dedicated support of the WSF!

P.S. We are very grateful for the great group of leaders on our Board here at the WSF. Roy isn’t the only Master Farmer on the team. Back in 1994, our current Board Chair Scott Fritz also was awarded the Master Farmer Award!