Released: April 24, 2017
Schwartz to receive Don L. Good Impact Award
Kansas farmer, former legislator to be recognized Oct. 13 in Manhattan
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Sharon Schwartz of Washington, Kan., a long-time pork industry leader and state legislator, has been selected to receive the 2017 Don L. Good Impact Award from Kansas State University.
The award, presented by the Livestock and Meat Industry Council Inc. (LMIC), is named in honor of Good, who is a former department head for animal sciences and industry.
The award recognizes positive impact on the livestock and meat industry or agriculture. Schwartz will be recognized during the K-State Animal Sciences and Industry Family and Friends Reunion, set for Oct. 13 at the Stanley Stout Center in Manhattan.
Schwartz was instrumental in helping change the pork industry’s marketing strategy which led to the highly successful campaign, “Pork. The Other White Meat.” She served two terms on the National Pork Board and on several national committees. She was previously the president of the Kansas Pork Producers Council and an executive board member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
She also served 20 years in the Kansas Legislature, during which time she was the chair of the agriculture committee; chair and vice chair of appropriations committee; and chair of the rules and regulations committees.
“The Livestock and Meat Industry Council is very proud to honor Sharon with this year’s Don L. Good Impact award,” said LMIC President Craig Good. “I have observed Sharon’s and her family’s leadership and accomplishments for nearly 40 years. She has been a strong voice and visionary leader on both the state and national level in the swine industry, but perhaps her biggest impact on agriculture has been her many important roles in the Kansas Legislature. She has been a dedicated advocate for agriculture in the state of Kansas and Kansas State University.”
Schwartz and her husband of 53 years, Leo, have two children and are proud grandparents of nine. The couple has farmed together, raising hogs and cattle in Washington County.
“The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry is excited to join with LMIC in recognizing Sharon for her contributions to the pork and ag industries and to the state of Kansas,” said department head Ken Odde. “We invite our ASI alumni and friends and all who have worked with Sharon to join us as we recognize and celebrate her contributions to the agriculture industry on Oct. 13.”
More information and registration will be available online for the Family and Friends Reunion at www.asi.k-state.edu/familyandfriends.
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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.
For more information:
Angie Stump Denton; angiedenton@ksu.edu or 785-562-6197
Communication Coordinator
Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences & Industry
