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Chinn, Munzlinger, Reibolt among Outstanding Service to Agriculture recipients

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — The largest agricultural organization in Missouri recognized the Director of the Department of Agriculture, two state lawmakers, and two longtime employees for their work on behalf on the industry that feeds and clothes the world.

On Monday morning during the annual meeting, the Missouri Farm Bureau presented Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn, Sen. Brian Munzlinger, Rep. Bill Reibolt, Doris Moore, and Steve Roberts with the Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award.

“We are pleased to continue our tradition of rewarding special friends of agriculture with this recognition,” said Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst. “Our winners must have longtime support for Missouri agriculture, a close working relationship with Missouri Farm Bureau officers, staff, and members, [and] a commitment of excellence in their work. Each of the individuals being honored today certainly fit those criteria.”

A fifth-generation Missouri farmer, Chinn has held a leadership position within agriculture on a local, state, and federal level for more than a decade. She was appointed to serve as the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017.

According to Hurst, Chinn a “trailblazer in ag advocacy.”

“It’s because of the team that supports me that I am able to do what I do today,” said Chinn. Her team includes the Missouri Farm Bureau, her family, and countless people who have helped and aided her throughout her career.

Munzlinger is a lifelong farmer who has served in both the Missouri House and Senate. Throughout his tenure as a lawmaker he became the go-to guy for agriculture, Hurst noted.

“I am grateful to have served agriculture in the great state of Missouri,” said Munzlinger. “The biggest challenge is up to you and that is to tell our story about agriculture and what we are about, why we do what we do.”

Reibolt is also a lifelong farmer who has served in the U.S. Army and Nation Guard. The term-limited representative is “proof one person can make a difference.”

Moore had the distinction of being Missouri Farm Bureau’s longest-tenured employee at 49 years of service to the organization. Roberts worked for 21 years as Missouri’s northeast regional coordinator.