The American Agri-Women (AAW) “Champion of Agriculture” award was initiated in 2010 to recognize members of Congress who have displayed exemplary courage in presenting and supporting legislation that promotes American agriculture, rural American lifestyles, and the United States Constitution. This is a bi-partisan award with efforts to include both houses and parties, if possible. Since 2010, two awards have been given each year: one to a House member and one to a Senate member – both Republicans and Democrats have received the award.
The Champion of Agriculture Awards is awarded during AAW Fly-In in Washington, DC, in June of each year. To nominate a Senator or Representative for the award, please provide a letter of nomination stating the member's name, state, and why the member deserves the award, displaying explicit examples where possible. In addition to the letter, nominations may include up to three additional pages of supporting material. Submit nominations by April 1st of each year.
Past Recipients:
2010
Senator James Inhofe, OK
Representative Colin Peterson, MN
2011
Senator Pat Roberts, KS
Representative, Dennis Cardoza, CA
2012
Senator Debbie Stabenow, MI
Representative Cynthia Lummis, WY
2013
Senator Susan Collins, ME
Senator John Thune, SD
2014
Senator Amy Klobucha, MN
Representative Frank Lucas, OK
2015
Senator John Hoeven, ND
Representative Mike Conaway, TX
2016
Senator Heidi Heitkamp, ND
Representative Greg Walden, OR
2017
Senator Joni Ernst, IA
Representative Rodney Davis, IL
2018
Representative James Comer, KY
Representative Steve Pearce, NM
2019
Representative David Rouzer. NC
Representative Cheri Bustos, IL
Chief Champion of Agriculture - President Donald J. Trump
2020
Senator Charles Grassley, IA
Representative Jodey C. Arrington, TX
2021
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
2022
Representative Doug LaMalfa, CA
2023
Senator Joe Manchin III
Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson, PA