Primghar, Iowa — A business and an individual who has passed away have received a county-wide annual agriculture industry honor this week at the O’Brien County Fair.
According to the O’Brien County Value-Added Agriculture Steering Committee, they have recognized an outstanding citizen each year with the Value Added Ag Hall of Fame Award since 2001. This year, the Value Added Ag Steering Committee chose to give two awards, one to a business and one to honor an individual posthumously.
Jim, Kurt and Tom Edwards of Nicholson & Edwards Grain Co., Inc. and the family of Kirk Struve were in attendance at the O’Brien County Fair on Monday, July 22nd to receive the 2019 Value-Added Ag Hall of Fame Award.
The committee says,
“Nicholson & Edwards Grain Company is owned and operated by Kurt, Jim, and Tom Edwards. The company, which dates back to 1915 and has been family owned since the 1950s, provides agronomy, seed sales, chemical/fertilizer sales & application, grain drying, handling and merchandising, as well as fuel and grain marketing consultation to area farmers. With third and fourth generation Edwards working together, Nicholson & Edwards Grain Company is committed to the families they serve and invested in Primghar and the surrounding communities. In less than two years, they have been able to rebuild after a devastating fire that took place in September of 2017. The Edwards have converted a grain bin into a 3,500 square foot office structure to replace the main office building lost in the fire. This year they also added a new 300,000-bushel grain storage bin to accommodate storage space destroyed in the fire. The Edwards brothers are very active in the community in local government, economic development, and church as well as civic and community organizations. Kurt, Jim, and Tom take great pride in their business, family, and community. They work hard not only for the success of their business, but to also ensure that the Primghar community is a great place to live, grow, worship and enjoy.”
The committee tells us that Kirk Struve received two nominations this year and it was a unanimous decision by the committee to honor him with the 2019 Ag Hall of Fame award. They say,
“Kirk grew up in Calumet, working and learning from a young age in the family fertilizer and agrichemical business — C-S Agrow Service. During this time, he also acquired a love for farming from his grandfather. After college, Kirk returned to O’Brien County and started working as an agronomist for the family business. Throughout his career at C-S Agrow, which later became Ag Partners, Kirk became a valuable resource for his clients, many of whom also become his friends. He was instrumental in helping to implement the latest practices and improve production agriculture. Kirk was a leader in advocating no-till and strip-till and assisted many farmers in implementing these techniques. In 2010, Kirk took over Ag Land Custom Company and also began farming the family’s land. With the custom farming, Kirk farmed every acre as if it were his own and built personal relationships with his customers. With his knowledge and experience, Kirk continued to be an important resource for many area farmers until a tragic hunting accident took his life this past January. Kirk possessed a positive attitude and great personality and was a hard worker who was always ready to help someone in need. He will be remembered for his love for his family and support of his church, local businesses, and communities.”
Officials say they look for someone who has demonstrated leadership, stewardship, community service and service to the agricultural industry to receive the award. They must also be an O’Brien County resident or someone who engages in agricultural activity in the county.
O’Brien County Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominations are accepted year-round and those received are saved and considered the next year if that nominee does not win. For more information, you can contact Kiana Johnson, O’Brien County Economic Development at 712-957-1313 or e-mail ocedc@tcaexpress.net.
