Awards

Indiana Agriculture Leaders Honored by Purdue Extension 

Three Indiana women were recognized by the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team for their dedication and leadership during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair on Thursday (Aug. 3).

“Each year, Purdue Extension has the honor of awarding three Indiana women who contribute to the success of agriculture in Indiana. It is a pleasure to highlight each of these women and their many accomplishments,” said Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture.

Purdue University rising senior Kassidy Oliger received the Emerging Women in Agriculture Leadership Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a high school or undergraduate student who has made a positive impact on agriculture. Oliger is studying agribusiness management and is involved in multiple student organizations, including Purdue Dairy Club, Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority and Purdue Agricultural Council. She serves as one of 16 Ag Econ Envoys who represent the department to prospective students and parents, alumni and industry representatives.

kassidy-oliger-emerging-wia-winner-2023 and Angie Abbot Interim director of Purdue Extension with Kassidy holding a plaque

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Kassidy Oliger received the 2023 Emerging Women in Agriculture Leadership Award on Aug. 3, 2023, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture, and Kassidy Oliger.

Oliger has further developed her connections and skills in agriculture through her internships with Farm Credit Mid-America, Merck Animal Health in Western Pennsylvania and Purdue Extension – Wayne County. She was a 10-year 4-H member and a six-year FFA member, earning her Hoosier Degree in 2019. Oliger served as the national ambassador for the National Brown Swiss Youth Association and Indiana ambassador for the American Dairy Association in 2020-21.

The Purdue Women in Agriculture Leadership Award recognizes a woman in an agribusiness or policymaking position who has actively influenced Indiana agriculture. Katrina Hall, Indiana Farm Bureau senior director of policy strategy and advocacy, was honored with the 2023 award. Hall has extensively shaped Indiana agricultural policy, including by being a driving force behind large and small tax changes that support Indiana farms. She spearheaded the effort to create the Indiana Broadband Strategic Partnership to help bring broadband to underserved communities and continues to help farmers and landowners gain control in local decision-making to reduce extraterritorial jurisdiction and involuntary annexation.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture Katrina Hall was presented the 2023 Purdue Women in Agriculture Leadership Award on Aug. 3, 2023 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Katrina Hall.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture Katrina Hall was presented the 2023 Purdue Women in Agriculture Leadership Award on Aug. 3, 2023, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture, and Katrina Hall.

Hall has also helped Indiana local governments understand local tax policy changes and school referendums. She is a reliable source for partners in the agriculture industry because of her expertise in state tax and budget issues. Prior to joining Indiana Farm Bureau, Hall worked at the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners as the director of the budget division.

Bethany Gremel, Beck’s Hybrids director of culture and brand experience and a member of the Beck’s leadership team, is the 2023 Women in Agriculture Achievement Award winner. This award recognizes women who are directly involved in a home farm operation. Gremel remains active in her parents’ farming operation in Howard County by assisting with strategy, operations and finances. She is the seventh generation to be involved in farming on the Kingseed side of her family and the third generation on the Cates side. Gremel recounts learning to shuck sweet corn and riding tractors from a young age, with her farm responsibilities only growing from there.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture Bethany Gremel was presented the 2023 Purdue Women in Agriculture Achievement Award on Aug. 3, 2023 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Bethany Gremel.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture Bethany Gremel was presented the 2023 Purdue Women in Agriculture Achievement Award on Aug. 3, 2023, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture, and Bethany Gremel.

Off the farm, Gremel uses her passion for helping others in the agriculture industry through her efforts at Beck’s Hybrids. She created an industry-leading onboarding program for employees, a talent management program and helped create a leading education and training department for Beck’s. Gremel also has oversight of the human resources and education departments as well as the commitment rewards department, safety department, agronomy/research/practical farm research department, and the travel and events department. Gremel is a graduate of the 2012-14 Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program cohort and a member of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.

The Purdue Women in Agriculture awards committee was co-chaired by Beth Vansickle, an Extension educator in Madison County, and Bec Wicker of Rushville, Ind. The Purdue Women in Agriculture Team provides educational opportunities and resources for women in the agriculture industry and coordinates the Ag Women Engage Conference. 

 

Writer: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, mayer36@purdue.edu 

Source: Beth Vansickle, bleonhar@purdue.edu

Awards

Applications for the 2024 Women in Agriculture Awards are Now Available!

 

2024 Emerging Women in Agriculture Leadership Award Application

 

2024 Women in Agriculture Awards Application

2006 - Sue Alexander
2007 - Kenda Resler Friend
2008 - Beth Bechdol
2009 - Belinda Puetz
2010 - Carolyn Hegel
2011 - Susan Brocksmith
2012 - LuAnn Troxel
2013 - Dr. Marianne Ash
2014 - Elisha Modisett Kemp
2015 - Beth Archer
2016 - Lisa Chaudion
2017 - Jane Hardisty
2018 - Jane Ade Stevens
2019 - Natasha Cox
2020 - Roberta Ressler
2021 - Tracie Egger
2022 - Katie Glick
2023 - Katrina Hall

2007 - Sue Arnholt
2008 - Helen Witte
2009 - Kristi Kretzmeier
2010 - Louise Beaman
2011 - Stacy Pedigo
2012 - Tammi Unger
2013 - Deborah Jordan
2014 - Kerry Dull
2015 - Linda Baird
2016 - Sheryl Seib
2017 - Carrie Vollmer-Sanders
2018 - Jamie Schilmiller
2019 - Bec Wicker
2020 - Sara Creech
2021 - Isabella Chism
2022 - Joelle Orem
2023 - Bethany Gremel

2019 - Madelyn Zimmerman
2020 - Abigail Powell
2021 - Molly Grotjan
2022 - Savannah Bordern
2023 - Kassidy Oliger