To Farmers With Love: Honoring the Heart of Agriculture

Through our Thank You Farmers® Project, we’re proud to celebrate and recognize the farmers working each and every day to feed our growing population in our annual To Farmers With Love Contest.

Each year, the contest invites community members to nominate farmers who go above and beyond in feeding our communities, making a difference in the lives of others and positively impacting the future of agriculture. Whether you're passionate about farm-to-table living or engaging in community-supported agriculture, this initiative highlights the heart of Midwest farming and the people who make it thrive.

Meet some of the remarkable farmers we have honored over the years!

Jennifer – Kunde Jersey Farm, Hopkinton, IA (2025 winner)

Jennifer’s story is one of deep devotion to agriculture and youth development. Raised on a dairy farm and still farming today, Jennifer’s roots run deep in the soil of Iowa. Her passion for the Jersey breed and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders have shaped her life’s work.

For over two decades, Jennifer has been a guiding force in her community by volunteering with 4-H, coaching dairy quiz bowl teams to national competitions and serving as superintendent of the county fair’s dairy show. Her impact goes beyond the barn: She bakes pies for the 4-H food stand, mentors FFA teams and serves on multiple local committees.

Jennifer believes that confidence grows alongside crops and cattle. Her tireless efforts to help young people find their voice in dairy farming make her a cornerstone of her community and a beacon for future generations.

Jed – Gant Farms, Blanchardville, WI (2025 winner)

Jed’s legacy is built on quiet strength, deep values and a lifelong commitment to his community. A resident of Blanchardville, Wisconsin, Jed has spent his life on his family’s 2,000-acre beef and dairy farm, where tradition and service go hand in hand.

For over 20 years, Jed has served as township chairman, recently reelected by write-in vote, a testament to the respect he’s earned in his community. But his leadership isn’t confined to public office. Jed opens his farm to neighbors and youth, teaching simple, meaningful farm tasks that connect people to the land and each other.

Jed’s belief in educating youth and fostering involvement makes him a role model whose influence will echo for generations.

Mitch – Mystic Valley Dairy, Mazomanie, WI (2025 Winner)

Mitch’s passion for agriculture is matched only by his commitment to sharing it with others. At Mystic Valley Dairy in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, Mitch opens his farm to visitors, mentors non-farm 4-H youth and speaks at community events, all in the spirit of connection and education.

Mitch’s thoughtful care for land and livestock reflects his belief in responsible farming practices. He sees agriculture not just as a profession, but as a platform for outreach and advocacy. By helping young people gain hands-on experience, Mitch ensures that the values of stewardship and sustainability are passed on.

His voice resonates far beyond the fields, championing modern agriculture and inspiring those around him to see farming as a vital, vibrant part of their community.

Angela – Worldwide Aquaponics, Jacksonville, FL (2024 winner)

Angela’s journey into agriculture is deeply rooted in her family's history. For the past four generations, her family has been leading innovation in greenhouse farming. With a background in medicine and health, Angela’s passion for clean, sustainable farming led her to explore aquaponics, a sustainable farming method that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to grow plants and fish together. She says the ability to grow food and sell it locally is a great feeling and that farming with sustainability in mind allows them to grow amazing foods, all while protecting the future generations to come.

Angela is actively involved in her community, working closely with FFA chapters across the region to assist teachers and students interested in learning more about aquaculture, hydroponics, biodiversity and conservation practices.

Jeannette – Sheeknoll Farms, Rochester, MN (2024 winner)

Jeannette was born and raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota, where she got the opportunity to work alongside her family and fall in love with farming at a very young age. She attributes her work ethic and passion for the industry to her parents, who gave her the opportunity to experience various aspects of farming as she learned the ins and outs of producing food to feed her community.

When asked what she finds most rewarding about farming, Jeannette says she feels fulfilled by creating quality products.

“I feel there’s a real need for sustainability right now in the world – and I feel like I’m doing a really important part of supplying that in the food chain,” Jeannette said. “It’s really important to take care of what we were given and be able to pass that along to the generations to come and leave it in a really healthy, good state.”

Jeannette and her family are dairy farmers in Rochester, Minnesota, where they’re actively involved in their community and mentoring the next generation of agricultural leaders. When Jeannette found out she had been selected as the 2024 To Farmers With Love Contest grand prize winner, she was “shocked.”

“This is really saying thank you to farmers,” Jeannette said. “This is noticing farmers. I’m so grateful for [Culver’s] support, and their ability to show me that I am appreciated and that farmers do matter.”

We’re proud to recognize farmers who make a difference in the agriculture industry each and every day. Their dedication to educating their communities and implementing sustainable farming techniques ensures a promising future for agriculture!

Whether you're searching for ways to support local farmers or learning about farming, our Thank You Farmers® Project is a great place to start.

Discover how you can get involved in supporting our current and future leaders in agriculture by learning more about our Thank You Farmers® Project.