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Bartholomew wins Woman in Agriculture award
Tammy Bartholomew of Archie, Mo. was awarded the 2014 Missouri State Fair Woman in Agriculture award, sponsored by Monsanto. Winners are selected based on their outstanding achievements, leadership in agriculture, a commitment to advance agriculture and their extensive Missouri State Fair participation.
“I’m very proud to represent the Missouri State Fair and it’s been a big part of our family’s life for a long time,” Bartholomew said. “It’s very humbling, almost embarrassing because I know that there are so many more deserving women out there.”
Bartholomew recently retired from a long, successful career as an agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor. Bartholomew was very active in the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association and served as the first female president. She and her family have also been actively involved in several other agricultural-related groups including the National and Missouri Cattlemen’s Associations as well as the American and Missouri Angus Associations.
Monsanto donates $1,000 to a non-profit organization of the winner’s choice. Bartholomew selected the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund. This fund helps cover expenses for the HYMAX Academy, something Bartholomew is very passionate about.
“The academy was established for students who just finished their freshman year. They take the top 100 students applicants in the state and they go down to Camp Rising Sun and they train those young people in agricultural advocacy and they teach them the importance of how to use social media and how to really advocate for agriculture,” Bartholomew said.
Bartholomew has been a part of the program since the start as a teacher, chaperone and even as a presenter.
“It is such a tremendous program. I have never seen something that would change kids so quickly in just a short period of time,” Bartholomew said. “That’s where I really thought the money could be best used for. They really work hard to keep a tight budget and it is money well spent.”
In fact, the donation is the whole reason she applied.
“When I saw that Monsanto was doing this, I thought maybe there would be some way that if I was fortunate enough to be recognized that I would be able to donate that money to that fund,” Bartholomew said.
It is evident where Bartholomew’s passion lies.
“Agriculture is such an important part of my life,” she said. “It was a way I could connect with my dad and raise cattle with him and it was just something I can’t explain. I loved it from my core. To be able to be a part of this industry for the last thirty years here in Missouri has just been truly, truly tremendous.”
Photo Credit: Missouri State Fair
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