SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2016

Media Contact: Jody Heemstra, 605.773.4073

Michelle Rook to Receive 2016 Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award

PIERRE, S.D.- Michelle Rook of Yankton, S.D. will be recognized as the 2016 Governor’s Ag Ambassador on Thursday, June 2, at the annual Governor’s Agricultural Summit in Brookings.

“Agriculture has a tremendous advocate in Michelle,” said Gov. Daugaard. “She has devoted many years to telling the story of farm and ranch families who work hard to provide a safe, affordable food supply in South Dakota and beyond.”

Rook is the farm director at WNAX Radio in Yankton, S.D. and a reporter for the nationally-syndicated television programs AgDay and U.S. Farm Report.  She has served as a meteorologist at KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls and KTIV-TV and KMEG-TV in Sioux City, and as anchor and producer of “Today’s Ag” as part of her job as the SDSU Extension Radio/TV Specialist. Through Rook’s professional speaking and freelance business, she does professional videos and commercials for agricultural clients regionally and nationally.

Rook was president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) in 2006. She was selected as NAFB’s Horizon Award winner in 2002, NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year in 2008 and the recipient of the first annual Agri-Pulse-NAFB Doan Award in 2015.

“Michelle has a love for agriculture that comes from growing up on a family dairy and crop farm near Clear Lake,” said interim South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Dustin Oedekoven. “She is a tireless promoter of agriculture and an effective voice for the hard work, stewardship and dedication of our state’s farmers and ranchers.”

Key Achievements of the Ag Ambassador:

• Provides visionary leadership to South Dakota’s agricultural industry.
• Champions growth and prosperity of the state’s number one industry.
• Advocates for agricultural practices and responsible stewardship of livestock and land; and highlights the significance of South Dakota agriculture to our global food system.
• Influences decision makers to develop and implement sound agricultural policies.

This is the sixth year a Governor’s Ag Ambassador has been recognized. To learn more about the award, visit http://sdda.sd.gov/office-of-the-secretary/ag-ambassador-award/default.aspx. To pre-register for the Summit, visit www.sdagsummit.com.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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A photo of Rook may be downloaded here.