Indiana’s top 5 finalist in the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest, sponsored by Monsanto, led the online voting and Friday was announced the overall winner of the 2017 program. Susan Brocksmith from Vincennes in Knox County was also the Northeast regional winner.
“I just can’t get over the outpouring from the community of support, and that I was selected from a group of ladies and to meet the other four amazing ladies,” she told HAT. “It’s just such an awe-inspiring and humbling event.”
Brocksmith gets emotional when describing that outpouring of support from neighbors, but the administrator and ag teacher at Vincennes University is also excited about her chance to further her efforts to reach out to consumers about what happens in today’s agriculture.
“I love advocating for ag and we will get some other opportunities to go out here and tell our story and let people know that agriculture is concerned about health and wellness and making sure we keep the environment the best we can keep it. Just having those additional opportunities is where I want to be.”
From Monsanto:
America has named Susan Brocksmith (Vincennes, Ind.) as the national winner of the 2017 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program, sponsored by Monsanto. The program honors the significant contributions farm moms make in their communities and beyond, and is designed to help some of the most outstanding farm moms make an even bigger difference in their communities. Susan, a farmer, agribusiness professor, mother and active agriculture advocate, garnered the most online votes to capture the national title.
Susan was one of five women who were recognized at the end of April as regional winners in the program. All of them, including Becca Ferry (Brigham City, Utah), Shari Sell-Bakker (Dike, Iowa), Cala Tabb (Eupora, Miss.), Nancy Kirkholm (Homer, Neb.), and Susan were selected by a panel of American Agri-Women and Monsanto judges for their dedication and commitment to their families, farms, communities and the agriculture industry.
America voted online at AmericasFarmers.com from April 28 through May 10 for one of the five regional winners to be named the national winner. All five women won $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit organization of her choice in her community, as well as $3,000 for her personal use. Susan will receive another $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit for securing the most online votes to be named the national “America’s Farmers Mom of the Year.” She has decided to divide her $4,000 among three organizations: Helping His Hands, a local disaster relief organization and food pantry, and both the North Knox and South Knox FFA chapters.
“These women are truly the backbone of rural America, and we are so excited to share their stories and honor them for their great contributions,” said Jessica Lane Rommel, Monsanto’s Business Communications Manager. “Susan exudes so much passion for her family and community, and she is a great example of how women are making an impact on the agriculture industry at large. Through her work with Helping His Hands and FFA, she is making a difference in her community and inspiring all of us.”
About Susan Brocksmith
Susan was nominated for the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program by her daughters Victoria and Casandra. In their nomination, they noted that Susan is a problem-solver on the family farm, an advocate of agriculture in the community, a role model for her daughters and a professor who goes the extra mile for her students.
“I am humbled and blessed to be named the 2017 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year,” said Susan. “I was raised on a family farm and was able to raise my daughters on our family farm. I have strived to instill the core values of faith, family and agriculture into my daughters, as well as my college students. Thanks to the support I received from family, friends and community, I was able to receive this award. This outpouring of support proves anything is possible. Thank you Monsanto for providing this outreach opportunity.”
In addition to playing an active role on the family farm, Susan serves on the county hospital board and is a church trustee. Additionally, she is an Agribusiness Professor and Department Chair at Vincennes University, where she holds some classes on the family farm and hosts meals with her students several times a year.
To learn more about Susan, her fellow 2017 regional Mom of the Year winners or winners from years past, visit AmericasFarmers.com.
About America’s Farmers
The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern U.S. Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com.