Adults' Giving Program Submissions
March Submissions
Wilbur-Ellis is saluting the people in agriculture and food production who provide the foods we all enjoy, as part of National Ag Day and Week in March.
Please join us in thanking the people who grow and prepare food for all of us by posting a message to them. For example, you can thank them for the work they do … talk about why agriculture and food production are important … or talk about an experience you’ve had with agriculture and food production in business or your home life.
We welcome written messages (as well as food and ag photos) or video messages.
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2021
Jesse Unsicker, United States (Nutrition)
I want to give a shoutout and salute all US Farmers and their families for the hard work and dedication they have put in day in and day out to supply the US and the world safe, economical produce that meets the US and the world's ever-changing demand for food supply. Although technological advancements in the agriculture industry have greatly changed the size and scope of operations, family farms and local growers are still the backbone of the agriculture industry! Growing up on a 5th generation corn & soybean farm in Central Illinois, I was able to experience firsthand the level of hard work and dedication that goes into growing US produce for all to enjoy. To be honest, I didn’t “love” waking up at sunrise and working late into the spring and fall nights with my Dad during planting and harvest, but in that time, I witnessed and learned the core values of farming that have stuck with me to this day: hard work, honesty, family, honoring your commitments and always doing the right thing regardless of the consequences. Coming from this background, it was a no-brainer for me to head to the University of Illinois in pursuit of an education & potential career in Agriculture. 15 years later, I’ve been able to be a part of some of the world’s leading Agriculture companies and I can’t help but to thank my Dad/family for instilling in me the values that have propelled me through my career path. Thanks, Dad & all US Farmers!
Adrielle Pooi Yeow, Malaysia (Connell)
Thank you to the indigenous people who are still in the farming and agricultural plantation. I never knew how big cinnamon sticks were until I saw some in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Cinnamon is a very useful spice. Through history, we learn that people traveled from the west to the east to trade spices.
John Thacher, United States
I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for farmers. The work ethic and values of farmers have been foundational for our country. I was very fortunate to spend over two decades in the wine industry, and I saw first hand the commitment and innovation from so many growers. Thank you for all of your contributions to our society!
Nicole Wolkenhauer Larson, United States
I am proud to be a born and raised farm kid who is now raising our kids the same way! Thank you to all the farmers big and small, especially those family farms that are dear to my heart.
Karen Carter, United States (Nachurs Alpine Solutions)
I would like to thank all the farmers who work so hard, every day, to keep the people of the world fed. My grandparents were farmers, and my mom inherited their green thumb, but not me. Therefore, I really appreciate all their hard work and amazing talents. God bless all the family farms that continue to pass their skills, love, and gifts to the next generation to keep the process going.
Adrielle Yeow, Malaysia (Connell)
I have always lived in the city, so I when I go back to my parent's or parent-in-law's hometown or leisure vacation where I see rural areas where there are plantations or farms, I will get so thrilled. My husband will say I am like a city girl who never seen such places before. I don't deny it. I would like to give a shout out to the rice planters in Malaysia for planting rice fields and hill rice. For most Asians, rice is our staple food. Thank you to all the rice planters in Sabah and Sarawak who plant hill rice and rice planters in Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Penang, Kelantan and Terengganu who plant paddy rice. As my mother often told me from a young age, every grain of rice came with the sweat and hard work of farmers under the sun and rain so I better finish my rice every time.
Alfred Brock, United States
Beans - fresh growing bean sprouts! New foods and flavors from ancient lines. Thanks to the farmers and producers nationwide and around the world!
Julie Magnuson, United States (Nutrition)
I wish to recognize and express my thanks to those in the agriculture industry, especially during this last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we all know, the impact has been felt by everyone. Despite the many challenges we all faced, those in the agriculture industry kept working to provide for the world. By doing so, that work enabled me to keep my job and have the opportunity to work from home, thus provide for my family! Unlike many displaced workers in other industries, we kept on going and I am ever so grateful!
Michael Burdiss, United States
Our first calf heifer Marley and her bull calf Ziggy. The beauty of spring, the signs of God’s work and the pleasures of farm life.
Curtis Cabezut, United States
Thank you to our great American farmers. I'm in the Ag Community. I thank you for your service to the world. 🌍
Michael Kanyi, United States
Great job
Anne Cleary, United States (Corporate)
I grew up in Nebraska, where agriculture and food production are very important industries. They’re so important that back in 1902, when the University of Nebraska was looking for a name for its football team, the “Cornhuskers” was chosen. The name recognizes the strong agricultural roots in the state. In fact, corn is Nebraska’s No. 1 crop, with a lot of it going to feed cattle and hogs. So, to all the growers in Nebraska and around the world, thank you for keeping people and animals fed. As we celebrate National Ag Day and Week in March, we’re really celebrating the hard work you do every day!
David Puckett, United States
I grew up in a small city in northern Oklahoma surrounded by wheat fields. I have always been impressed by the self-reliance, no-nonsense problem solving, and entrepreneurship demonstrated by families involved in agriculture. As a city dweller, my salute to those in agriculture is a simple “wave.” This is a simple gesture practiced in Oklahoma and elsewhere (see note below). It consists of making a slight wave (without lifting the hand from the steering wheel) to an oncoming vehicle on secondary highways and county roads. The most basic purpose is to acknowledge eye contact with an oncoming vehicle. But the wave also provides a shared greeting, acknowledgement of shared purpose and the availability of mutual assistance (if needed). So today, my wave is also a thank you to all the agricultural producers and processors that provide the products we consume. Note the following links: In Iowa, they honor this wave with “Farmer Wave Week .”
Robert O'Shaughnessy, United States
I want to recognize my late grandfather, who was a large animal veterinarian in County Limerick, Ireland. Through the stories I've been told, I learned that he played a vital role in the community, helping farmers keep their livestock healthy. This was rural Ireland, where agriculture was, and still is, the main industry. So thank you to all the veterinarians who work with livestock, your hard work and dedication is appreciated.
Carie Moore, United States
Heather Lang is someone who is important to me as a friend and keeping me grounded in ag. She is important to food production as her family raises pigs and beef for food sales. She is important to ag as a representative of NDFB and AFBF. She has come out of her shell in the past 6 years and really jumped into fighting for ag and showing its reality and positivity. Shout out to her amazing talents and abilities!
Katie Nix, United States (Nutrition)
There are so many hardworking people that grow and prepare the food and products we use and enjoy daily! That is a huge job and often times a thankless one as well. So, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to everyone in the agriculture industries that work so hard to grow and prepare the products that feed America. And, although not a food product, one of my favorite agricultural products to enjoy in my neck of the woods are tulips. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon, is a place I have visited many times and I am always in awe of the beauty and scale of agriculture on this farm. I want to say a special thank you to this farm for creating a wonderful experience for people to enjoy.
Peggy Saling, United States (Nutrition)
I want to put a big thank you out to all the dairy farmers in America. I grew up on a Grade A Dairy farm and I know how much hard work goes into it. The long days and short nights.
Kellyn Curtis, United States
I'm giving a shoutout to all of the essential workers at Bolthouse Farms who have been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep delivering healthy food to tables across the country.
Kristy Roy, United States (Agribusiness)
Hello, I’d like to salute and thank women in agriculture. 43% of U.S. farmland—nearly 388 million acres— is now farmed or co-farmed by women. To founding farmer Sarah Frey of Frey Farms, who says in her book The Growing Season, “When I started my business at age sixteen, most days I wore jeans, work boots, and a baseball cap. People said, ‘How can she be a businesswoman dressed like that?’ Now when I wear heels and a skirt, people say, ‘How can she be a farmer?’” To Women in Agribusiness at womeninag.com who holds summits, now in its tenth year, to “nurture a recognized agribusiness community where the sharing of business knowledge and industry innovations is at the forefront of helping women excel in the sector.” To Rebecca Wilson and Lizzie McLaughlin, who spearhead the ‘Boots and Heels – In Our Shoes’ podcast. To the agricultural organizations in the United States that exist for women and are run by women: American Agri-Women, American National CattleWomen, Annie's Project, California Women for Agriculture, Country Women's Council, National Women in Ag's Association, Women, Food and Agriculture Network. To Wilbur-Ellis Company, who supports and promotes the Women of Wilbur-Ellis employee resource group. Lastly, to the Women of Wilbur-Ellis. Thank you for your support, education, and fun. Thank you for hosting events developed to further careers. Thank you for the free webinars covering subjects such as leadership, diversity, mentorship, and life skills. Mostly, and finally, thank you for the Core Team leaders, the Chapters, and the Members who make it great. -Kristy Roy
Nick Braden, United States (Nutrition)
Thank you to the farmers, those who support farmers, food production teams, pet food production teams and those supporting the ag supply chain as they help feed our families and our fur babies. Its not always easy or glamorous but it is always necessary to sustain life. We appreciate you.
Diandra Binney, United States
Shoutout to Kim and Ann Sealey, who own and run Milky Way Farms, a fourth-generation family farm in Troy, PA. A job with no rest nor time off is always challenging, but they do it with humor and class - a true testament to their dedication.
ann barlow, United States
My 93-year-old uncle just finished his memoirs (he spent 60+ years in Bolivia as a missionary priest and has some amazing photos and stories) that began in the tiny town of Merna, Illinois, outside Bloomington. In the memoirs, he (pictured center) recounts his early life on the farm with my dad, their 8 siblings and my grandparents (top right). We spent many happy times over the years on that farm and in the farm house (see other images), and so I'm honoring my grandparents for maintaining the farm, even during the Depression and during WWII, and my uncle for sharing these photos!
WE ARE ONE (HUNDRED)
As part of our 100th anniversary celebration, we launched the Giving Program to help people in need worldwide. In total, the Giving Program raised $52,000 USD for the Red Cross, building on the company’s $100,000 donation in 2020.