GOLDEN TRIANGLE AWARD RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT SERVICE ON ISSUES AFFECTING RURAL AMERICA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) will tonight award the 2008 NFU Golden Triangle Award to Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and an outspoken advocate for independent farmers and ranchers. 

The Golden Triangle is the NFU's highest honor for government service. It is awarded annually to members of Congress who demonstrate outstanding leadership on issues affecting independent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This is the second year the NFU has honored Representative Boyda with the Golden Triangle Award. 

Congresswoman Boyda said, "Agriculture remains a foundation of the Kansas economy, and Kansas farmers are a critical part of our state's heritage. It's an honor to represent all Kansas farmers and ranchers on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.” 

NFU President Tom Buis said of the recipients of the 2008 Golden Triangle Award: "We are pleased to honor these hard-working men and women for their commitment to addressing the challenges we face in rural America. From the new farm bill to food safety and renewable fuels, these members never backed down. I thank them for their leadership." 

The National Farmers Union was founded in 1902 in Point, Texas, and has now grown to a membership of 250,000 farm and ranch families, with organized chapters in 32 states. NFU continues its original mission to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities. 

The Golden Triangle Award is based on NFU's symbol – a triangle with "legislation" and "cooperation" forming the sides and "education" the base. The Golden Triangle Awards have been presented annually since established in 1988. 

Recipients this year were chosen for their leadership on an assortment of issues that affect rural and agronomic America. Those issues included support for the 2008 Farm Bill, implementing mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL), increasing the use and production of fuels from the farm, addressing food safety concerns, support for fair trade and agriculture's role in addressing climate change.