2023 Outstanding Agri-Business Woman
2023 Illinois Agri-Women Outstanding Business Professional
The 2023 Agri-Business professional has a thirst for education and is a tireless, relentless advocate for agriculture.
She earned her Bachelors from SIU-Carbondale focusing on agronomy and weed science. Masters of Education in Ag Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. This girl also loves her some hogs! As she earned an Endorsement in Swine Science from Iowa State University- Ames, IA.
On a mission to share her knowledge with others– Kirkwood Community College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa found her teaching botany and horticulture classes for seven years and while in Austin Texas she taught general classes in K-12 for five years.
The past 15 years, since returning to Illinois, Sarah has pushed the envelope in agriculture communication and education. Starting in ‘New Media’ website design, content editing and digital broadcast, evolved to broadcast media and grew viewership in the largest geographic DMA in Illinois: WAND Springfield, Decatur and Champaign. After moving back to her family farm in Central Illinois, developed and launched two consumer focused agriculture shows at WEEK News 25.
- Illinois Agriculture Leadership Program/Foundation
- Illinois Pork Producers Association/Operation Main Street
- Illinois Beef Association/Beef Quality Assurance
- Ag in the Classroom/Illinois Farm Bureau
- Illinois Agriculture Resource Council
- Women Changing the Face of Agriculture/IAW
When she’s not talking everything ag on WEEK News 25 and developing content for a non farming consumer communication show, shown quarterly: ‘Food, Farms and Biofuel.’
You most likely will catch her driving across the country to visit her adult kids or preparing to record an interview or write a story. And in her down time, continually developing and improving her piece of paradise outside of Chenoa.
I’m thankful she’s on our Team. Illinois Agri-Women Congratulate Sara Michaels as the 2023 Outstanding Agri-Business professional.
