Ron Warfield, a farmer from the Gibson City area, is the recipient of The News-Gazette's Farm Leader of the Year Award.

Gibson City area farmer Ron Warfield has spent decades of his professional life shaping state and national agriculture policy and promoting U.S. agriculture abroad. He's also been heavily involved in civic and church activities in his community.

For his professional and civic accomplishments, Warfield was chosen The News-Gazette's 2010 Farm Leader of the Year by previous farm leaders. He received his award at a banquet last week in Champaign.

Warfield started to develop his global view of agriculture early in his career. He spent six months in Nepal in 1965 shortly after graduating from the University of Illinois as part of 4-H's international youth exchange program. While there, he met his future wife, Melanie, who was also a participant on the trip and who he says has been a full partner in all his activities. And it's quite a list.

Among the organizations they have been connected with are the Illinois Farm Bureau (past president), American Farm Bureau, Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program, Gibson City Fire Protection District, Gibson City school board, Ford County Extension Council, Junior Achievement, First Christian Church and Bank of Gibson City. There are others.

Now in its 39th year, The News-Gazette Farm Leader Award program recognizes the vital role of agriculture in our region and the leadership role that members of the agricultural community play in East Central Illinois and beyond.

News-Gazette Farm Leaders have worked on the local, state, national and international levels in many trade organizations to promote agriculture, they've been active in civic life, in their churches, in local government, in education.

Ron Warfield is a worthy addition to that list.