American Agri-Women has presented the LEAVEN Award, its highest honor for members, to Janell Reid of Colorado Agri-Women at its 2021 National Convention.
Though raised around agriculture and active in 4-H, Reid’s involvement intensified when she married her husband, John, and joined the family ranch in eastern Colorado. The family operation, Reid Cattle Company, has raised commercial and registered cattle, including seed stock bulls for commercial cattle producers, for four generations on Colorado’s eastern plains.
AAW presents the LEAVEN Award to people who, to an extraordinary degree, have acted as “leaven,” a truly feminine concept since “lady” means giver of bread. “Leaven” (yeast) is a small element that can interact and influence everything around it. It permeates and raises the elements it’s mixed with. Leaven multiplies its effectiveness for good.
Reid is a founding member of Colorado Agri-Women and has served as past President of the American Agri-Women Foundation board, AAW nominating committee member, and the AAW beef commodity group. In addition to her involvement with CAW and AAW, Reid played an instrumental role in forming and serving as a board member for Colorado Independent Cattle Growers Association, remaining involved today as Membership Coordinator. Janell is involved in numerous local and regional agriculture groups, including local FFA advisory committees, countless 4-H leader roles, the Lincoln County (Colorado) 4-H Foundation, and numerous political party roles and campaigns.
Reid is a tireless advocate for private property rights, maintaining an independent and thriving beef industry, and preserving Western heritage. Reid, a quiet but persuasive leader, believes that the best way to build an organization is working at the ground level. Her efforts have strengthened countless leaders and teams in AAW and beyond.
AAW Journalism Award Announced
Also at the convention, American Agri-Women presented Sara Wyant with the American Agri-Women Journalism Award. Wyant is the founder and editor of Agri-Pulse. Through her newsletter and website, Agri-Pulse.com, her publication includes the latest updates on farm policy, commodity and conservation programs, trade, food safety, rural development, and environmental and regulatory programs. In addition, she publishes an early morning news summary, Daily Harvest, Agri-Pulse Daybreak, and Agri-Pulse DriveTime podcast.
Wyant, who now lives in Missouri, has been a long-time member of AAW since her work with Illinois Agri-Women in the 1980s.
“Sara is so exceptionally talented and a credible journalist. We treasure her as a member, a friend, and a sister in agriculture. She is a true champion of telling the story of agriculture and reporting the state and national ag issues that affect daily farm policy,” said Karolyn Zurn, past president of American Agri-Women.
Wyant has served on many AAW committees over the years and has been helpful at many AAW Fly-Ins to Washington, D.C., where members from across the county meet with legislators and share AAW position statements. She was a previous recipient of the organization’s highly esteemed Veritas Award for giving public witness to “the pursuit of truth” in accordance with the principles enunciated in the AAW State of Philosophy: The Call to Power. She has also received the AAW Leaven Award for her outstanding efforts for agriculture and service to AAW.
