IAW Honors 2020 Awardees

2021 ILLINOIS AGRI-WOMEN AWARD WINNERS

Illinois Agri Women awards program recognizes farm women and those who support them in their business. IAW accepts peer nominations for the awards. This year IAW is pleased to honor the following members for their contributions to agriculture and our organization.

OUTSTANDING AGRI-BUSINESS WOMAN

This year’s IAW’s Agri-Business award winner is Angie Erbsen. Angie has been with Compeer Financial (former 1^st Farm Credit Services) for 10 years and is a Senior Leasing Specialist. She works with 20 offices in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her responsibilities lie within the regional and national vendor relationships, primarily in the building and equipment markets.

Angie is originally from North Carolina and graduated from Virginia Tech with degrees in Dairy Science and Ag Economics.  Following graduation, she began her career at the Corporate Headquarters of Select Sires. When Angie relocated to Illinois, she found herself at Telmark Leasing company, which was ultimately purchased by Wells Fargo.

When not on the Compeer ‘clock’ Angie has volunteered for 4H, Cub Scouts and FFA. She is also active on the scholarship committee for the Sauk Valley area Chamber of Commerce. Angie has also been a 15-year Treasurer for the women’s organization known as PEO and has served as a delegate to one of the International PEO conventions. Currently serving as IAW Treasurer, she has been able to navigate the transition to the Quick Books format seamlessly.

Congratulations Angie!  IAW is thankful to have your skills and dedication to the Executive Board.

OUTSTANDING WOMAN FARMER

IAW is proud to recognize Nathalie Schmidt as the 2020 Woman Farmer. Nathalie currently serves as IAW Membership Chairperson, Treasurer of the Illinois AgriculturalResource Council (IARC) which is the 501c3 educational arm of IAW and is actively engaged in the Sunnybrook farming operation with her husband Joe in rural Ottawa. They are a fifth-generation family farm. Nathalie and Joe farm/crop share about 2100 acres of corn and soybeans.  She primarily focuses on the office details throughout the year and then is seasonally involved as part of the labor force in the spring and fall.

The Schmidt’s have been married for 30 years this November and have two daughters. Their youngest daughter (sixth generation) plans to shift into an active role in the farming operation.

She is also active in Ottawa Sunrise Rotary Club, is a Million Women Mentor Representative for IAW, an active volunteer for the WCFA event.  Nathalie also enjoys gardening, quilting, volunteering in her church and being a grandma! Nathalie is proud to share an amazing farm project in Fort Portal, Uganda, Africa that they have become involved with. I’m sure we will be able to hear more about this fascinating farming and education endeavor they are working on as soon as IAW is able to meet in person once again.

Congratulations Nathalie! Illinois Agri-Women appreciates your involvement in our organization locally and throughout the world.

HALL OF FAME

The 2020 recipient of the IAW Hall of Fame award is Penny Lauritzen.  Penny is one of the many longstanding members of IAW. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the College of ACES at the University of Illinois in 1986. Has worked in professional farm management and rural estate sales for over 28 years. Penny is an alumnus of the Illinois Agriculture Leadership Program and has assisted in economic development efforts such as the Carroll County Rural Partners, Lanark MAPPING Project and the Timber Lake Playhouse Corporate Partners initiative.

As notable as her professional career is, Penny is a skilled grant writer and has been the driving force behind IAW’s Women Changing the Face of Agriculture career discovery event. WCFA was designed to encourage female high school, college students and women interested in careers in agribusiness to network with other like-minded women in the agriculture industry. This event has evolved over the past ten years to include 5500 students, many now employed in the agriculture, food and natural resources industries.

Most recently Penny has been working behind the scenes planning and directing the New Roots music and agribusiness educational festival which has been delayed due to the COVID pandemic.

Penny has also been recognized by the University of Illinois College of Aces with the Award of Merit and she is a member of the Round Barn Society.  A recognition based on professional accomplishments in her career and leadership or service roles following graduation from the college.

Congratulations Penny for all you do for IAW and WCFA. We are thankful you are part of this organization!