LARAMIE—Keith Hamilton, of Big Horn County, was awarded the 2010 Farm Bureau Leadership Award at the 91st annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB).  Presented last Friday, the award is given to those who have gone above and beyond in their agricultural leadership service in the organization.

“For 35 years, Keith has given his time and talent to his county, district and state Farm Bureau; 22 of those years were spent serving on the WyFB Board of Directors,” stated Wyoming Farm Bureau President Perry Livingston.  “Keith’s knowledge about the agriculture industry and his ability to work with people has been a tremendous asset for the organization.”

When receiving the award, Hamilton expressed his appreciation to the organization and its members he has served.  “This award is definitely an honor to receive,” He stated.  “To be placed amongst the folks who have received this award in the past really means a lot.”

Hamilton joined Farm Bureau in 1975 and began his leadership service in 1981 on the county level as Big Horn County Farm Bureau vice president.  He went on to serve as county president and also served the Northwest District as vice president.  Hamilton joined the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors in 1988 when he was elected as the Northwest District Director; a position he held until 2010.  The Northwest District represents the counties of Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie.

“I’ve always felt that all farmers and ranchers should be a part of the Farm Bureau because of what the organization does for us,” Hamilton stated.  “What the Farm Bureau does to keep producers in business is invaluable.”

Hamilton is a 1976 honors graduate from the University of Wyoming where he received a bachelor’s degree in animal science.  He represents the fourth generation on his family ranch located in the Big Horn Basin.  A diversified operation, they run cattle and sheep as well as irrigated farming.   Keith and his wife, Linda raised two children, Doug and Diane, on the ranch.  They have three grandchildren.

“It has been a real honor to serve the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation,” Hamilton concluded.  “I serve on several boards and this is by far my favorite to work on.  The Wyoming Farm Bureau staff and the Mountain West Farm Bureau staff are second to none.  In my view, it makes this job so much easier when you get to work with that kind of professional people.”

“The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is proud to honor Keith Hamilton with the 2010 Leadership Award honoring his years of service and the mark he has made on the organization,” Livingston concluded.  “We thank him for his dedicated leadership on behalf of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and the state’s agriculture industry.”

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization.  Members work together from the grassroots to develop agricultural policy, programs and services to enhance the rural lifestyle of Wyoming.  On the web, www.wyfb.org.

CONTACT:
Kerin Clark, WyFB Media Director, 307.532.2002 or kclark@wyfb.org
Ken Hamilton, WyFB Executive Vice President, 307.721.7712 or khamilton@wyfb.org

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