Celebrating Our 2023 “To Farmers With Love” Winners
Going above and beyond to feed our communities
Each year, we’re proud to host our To Farmers With Love Contest, where community members can nominate a farmer in their lives they think goes above and beyond to feed our growing population, make a difference in their communities and positively impact the future of agriculture.
In 2023, we had fifteen amazing winners from all across the country. Through our Thank You Farmers® Project, we’re able to recognize and connect with the dedicated farmers and families working day in and day out to ensure a bright future for our food systems. Meet a few of the farmers we’re proud to honor and celebrate!
Grant Norwood – Norwood Farms in Mansfield, TN
Grant is a fifth-generation farmer in northwest Tennessee who began farming full time when he graduated college in 2000. As an advocate for the future of agriculture, Grant regularly speaks to elementary school students, college students and community groups about the importance of smart conservation practices to ensure the land is preserved for the future. Just like us, Grant feels passionate about giving back to his local community and educating the next generation of farmers to help equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to feed tomorrow’s population.
"As a farmer, community is important to me because it’s often the very thing that helped you become successful,” Grant said. “I enjoy getting to give back to a community that has been good to me and helped shape me into the person I am."
Sandy Madland – Lyndell Dairy in Lyndon Station, WI
Sandy Madland’s family’s farm, Lyndell Dairy, is a registered milking cow operation with 1,600 acres of various crops in Lyndon Station, WI. Sandy makes it her goal to ensure her community is educated on the “why” behind the work farmers do every day. She hosts tours of her family farm, is a county dairy leader and serves on a number of boards in her community.
“The best reward for my many years of volunteering and leadership is watching the kids I worked with through [various community groups] becoming adults, volunteers and leaders in our community,” Sandy said. “It makes all the years of juggling my farm and volunteer responsibilities so worth it!”
Sandy’s dedication to giving back is just one example of why we’re thankful to have farmers like her impacting the future of agriculture!
Scott, Brad and Greg Foote – Foote Cattle Company in Bucyrus, KS
Scott, Brad and Greg Foote are second-generation cattle farmers in western Kansas and southern Nebraska. Founded in 1985, their farm spans 50,000 acres of land and is still focused on one thing: raising quality beef. Scott, Brad and Greg feel strongly about exploring new sustainable feed ingredients, production processes and health protocols for their animals.
“Feeding America and the rest of our world is a big job, and it’s never over,” Scott said. “We have to support the next generation of farmers so they continue [to make our food supply] the safest and most abundant – and giving to our local FFA chapters is a great way to do just this.”
When they’re not hard at work on the farm, the three brothers are active in their community – and frequently donate their time to local rotary clubs and foundations.
We’re proud to celebrate farmers like Scott, Brad, Greg, Sandy and Grant each and every day. Through their work to educate their communities and use climate-smart practices on their farms, they’re helping make sure the future of agriculture stays bright.
Visit our Thank You Farmers® Project to learn more about how you can get involved.