This award is presented to an Allied Industry Council or Management & Sales Council member who has demonstrated exemplary and committed service to NAFB. The award was renamed in 2006 to honor longtime member, leader and historian Dix Harper. It was first presented in 1957 to Charlie Karr. Karr was a sales promotion manger for Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During Karr’s 35 years in the farm machinery business he spent more than $5,000,000 on farm radio and television advertising, according to the December 1957 eChats.

Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award Recipients

2022 Tim Marshall KRVN Rural Radio Network Lexington, NE

2021 Brenda Curtis USDA Radio (retired) Silver Spring, MD

2020 Bill Holst WNAX Radio Yankton, SD

2019 Russ Parker J.L. Farmakis Lovilia, IA

2018 Mary Kay Thatcher Syngenta Washington, DC

2017 Lance Knudson American Ag Network Grand Forks, ND

2016 Sara Wyant Agri-Pulse Communications Camdenton, MO

2015 Mike Perrine MP Ag Radio Troy, IL

2014 Bill Farmakis J.L. Farmakis Wilton, CT

2013 Lynn Henderson Agri Marketing Adel, IA

2012 Mike Hansen RFD-TV Omaha, NE

2011 John Vasichek Red River Farm Network Grand Forks, ND

2010 Denny Waddle KRVN Rural Radio Network Lexington, NE Roger Olson National 4-H Hudson, WI

2009 Ron Claussen Ag Media Research Sioux Falls, SD

2008 Mark Vail Eagle Communications Parkville, MO

2007 Vic McGill Clear Channel/Katz Advantage Chicago, IL

2006 Lyle Orwig Charleston|Orwig Hartland, WI

2005 Barry Nelson John Deere Lenexa, KS

2004 Gary Crawford USDA Washington, DC

2003 Hugh Whaley Osborn & Barr Communications St. Louis, MO