Bayer honors two farmers with sustainability, innovation awards

Two farmers received awards from Bayer in recognition of their sustainability and innovation efforts.
Two farmers received awards from Bayer in recognition of their sustainability and innovation efforts.

Bayer recently recognized its winners of the 2016 Young Farmer Sustainability Award and Produce Innovation Award during the pre-Commodity Classic Bayer AgVocacy Forum, which was held March 2 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Tyler Wegmeyer of northern Virginia received The Young Farmer Sustainability Award. Wegmeyer Farms is a commercial wholesale, u-pick and agritourism operation that grows more than 30 specialty crops, such as strawberries, pumpkins, corn, soybeans and wheat. Wegmeyer’s background includes working for the House and Senate Agriculture committees, and the American Farm Bureau Federation before buying his farm in Virginia.

Amy Machamer and her mother, Susan Hurd Machamer, own Hurd Orchards in Holley, New York. Amy Machamer won the 2016 Produce Innovation Award. The sixth- and seventh-generation farmers grow a variety of fruit on the same farm the Hurd family has been farming for the past 200 years. They are dedicated to increasing the demand for produce through awareness of health benefits to the community.

“We are proud to recognize two farmers who are committed to modern, sustainable agriculture and focused on strengthening the public’s connection with agriculture,” Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP, said. “It’s an honor to work alongside people who are so passionate about their profession and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.”