Awards
FARMER & ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
The Board of Tilth Producers honors individuals who have gone the extra mile to promote the mission of the organization. Awards will be given to at the annual conference to an outstanding farmer for their efforts in land stewardship (Farmer of the Year) and to an individual for their contributions to the sustainability of organic farming (Advocate of the Year). Deadline is October 31st.
2011 Recipients
Farmers of the Year – Eric & Sheryl Zakarison
Board member Taya Brown with Sheryl & Eric Zakarison
Tilth producers of Washington honors Eric & Sheryl Zakarison for their outstanding commitment to conscientious farming in the Palouse region and for their tireless efforts to cultivate young and beginning farmers. Many WSU agriculture students have benefitted from the support of this pair of farmers, who seem to do everything in their power to be of assistance, make themselves available for questions and offer demonstrations and transparency in their operation. Embedded in a large-scale and conventional farming region, Eric and Sheryl uphold the small farm ethos and foster the health of the environment and their local community. Thank you, Eric and Sheryl!
Advocate of the Year – Colleen Donovan
Board Member Carey Hunter with Colleen Donovan
Tilth Producers of Washington honors Colleen Donovan who has played a critical role in developing and supporting Washington’s sustainable agriculture community. Colleen currently leads the Farmers Market Research Project at WSU Small Farms Program, analyzing data which will contribute to the local and national discourse on the success of farmers markets. Whether managing the regional Heifer Project, updating the WSDA Green Book, facilitating sessions for women farmers, or teaching poultry processing workshops, Colleen has a wealth of knowledge on food systems that she shares freely in an upbeat, focused, and inclusive manner. Her dedication and enthusiasm for projects that support small farms is a great benefit to farmers across the state. Thank you, Colleen!
Past Winners
Links will send you to recipients directory listing or organization website.
| Year | Farmer of the Year | Advocate of the Year |
| 2003 | Grant Gibbs | Diane Dempster |
| 2004 | Nash Huber | Miles McEvoy |
| 2005 | Michaele Blakely | Jerry Pipitone |
| 2006 | Jim & Harlyn Meyer | Diane Dempster |
| 2007 | Rick & Marilynn Lynn | Goldie Caughlan |
| 2008 | None | Gus Hoover |
| 2009 | Hilario Alvarez | Mary Embleton |
| 2010 | Watershine Woods | Fred Berman & Patrice Barrentine |
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