Area real estate agent receives real estate award

Farmers National Company, the nation’s leading farm and ranch management and brokerage company, announced that Ben Watson, AFM, was recently presented the Farmers National Company Gold Eagle Award for his outstanding efforts in real estate sales.

Watson, farm manager and real estate sales agent with Farmers National Company, received the company’s top award for real estate sales in 2018.

Farmers National Company, an employee-owned company, is the nation’s leading agricultural landowner services company.

MCVB director graduates from Iowa Tourism Leadership institute

Val Ruff, executive director, Marshalltown Convention & Visitors Bureau is a graduate of the Iowa Tourism Leadership Institute held March 28-29 at The Hotel Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids. The institute provides Iowa tourism professionals an opportunity to expand their leadership knowledge and skills.

Institute attendees included six first-year graduates, 11 graduates who returned for a second year of training and one graduate returning for a third year. Industry members apply to attend the Institute and as part of the application process must demonstrate their involvement in the tourism industry and leadership qualities. New this year was an alumni program and six industry members returned as alumni of the program.

Curriculum for the Institute includes core courses in developing your leadership influence, marketing and branding, building effective board/staff partnerships, innovation and leading in times of change. Electives featured sessions in working with volunteers, running effective meetings, problem solving, time management strategies, financial/fraud control, and social media marketing.

Speakers for the Institute are professionals with expertise in leadership and various disciplines related to tourism.

The Leadership Institute is a statewide partnership coordinated by the Central Iowa Tourism Region and the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association with funding from the Iowa Tourism Office.

Miller receives Excellence in Ag Programming Award

Hardin County ISU Extension Director Darwin Miller received the County Professional Excellence in Agriculture Programming Award at the annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Spring Meeting held April 4-5 at Iowa State University.

Miller was recognized for his work in collaborating with ISU Extension agriculture specialists, partnering with business sponsors, delivering relevant topics to serve local farmers and agribusiness clientele and fostering long-term relationships within the ag industry. The award was presented by Dr. John Lawrence, vice-president for ISU Extension and Outreach.

Miller was nominated for the award by ISU Extension and Outreach agriculture and national resources specialists. Miller has been a county director with ISU Extension and Outreach since 1997 and served as an interim area director from 2004-05.

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