Collin Peterson and Mark Haney Presented Farm Bureau’s Highest Honors

Collin Peterson, former congressional leader from Minnesota, and former Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney, are the recipients of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award and Farm Bureau Founders Award, respectively. The DSA and Founders Award are the highest honors presented by AFBF. Peterson and Haney will be recognized during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention in San Antonio, Jan. 24-29.

AFBF established the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award to in 1928 to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. First presented in January 2017, AFBF’s Founders Award for exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau is presented in recognition of outstanding achievements and work in the interest of Farm Bureau.

Peterson was nominated by the Minnesota Farm Bureau for the DSA. Haney was nominated by the Kentucky Farm Bureau for the Founders Award. A national Farm Bureau committee selected each of the winners.

Peterson Honored with Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award

Peterson has been a staunch supporter of agriculture for more than 40 years, advocating for farmers and ranchers across the country. During his time in the House as a representative of Minnesota’s seventh congressional district, he served on the Agriculture Committee, including as chair from 2007-2011 and 2019-2021. He was instrumental in negotiating passage of the 2008, 2014 and 2018 farm bills.

Now retired from Congress, Peterson continues to focus on important work for agriculture. He is the founder of the Midwest Council on Agriculture, a group that advocates for agriculture and economic policy that supports long-term sustainability of the industry. In addition, he is president and founder of the Peterson Group, a government affairs and public policy firm.

A longtime Farm Bureau member, Peterson shared what receiving this award means to him. “We’ve worked together on so many things,” he said. “It’s a high honor to get this award. I appreciate it.”

Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing shared what he views as the keys to Peterson’s success in Congress. “I think what made him successful was his candidness and his bipartisan nature,” he said. “When folks had issues or concerns with legislation, they would go to him and come back with a clear answer. You didn’t have to wonder where you stood with him.”

Haney Honored with Farm Bureau Founders Award

Haney served on the board of Kentucky Farm Bureau for more than three decades and is the longest-serving president of the organization, stepping down after 15 years as president in 2023. He is well-known for proactive engagement with legislators to ensure the voices of farmers were heard and addressed at the local, state and national level. This included the advancement of many policies and initiatives supporting agricultural growth and sustainability for farmers across the nation.

Throughout his time at Kentucky Farm Bureau, Haney played a key role in creating and implementing initiatives that enhanced agriculture in the Bluegrass state, including the Certified Farm Market Program to support local farmers, the Generation Bridge Program, which engages members between the ages of 36-50, and the Legacy Farm Program.

“It is very humbling for me to receive this award,” Haney said. “I know the quality of people that serve in Farm Bureau and things that they have accomplished. For me to be mentioned in that elite group is such an honor.”

Current Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders reflect on Haney’s legacy with respect and admiration.

“Mark is an exceptional leader,” said Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton. “He has demonstrated unparalleled leadership and dedication to farmers in Kentucky and across America’s agricultural community.”