Bethany Pugh has been recently named the Monsanto Southeast Region’s Mom of the Year.

“It was a nomination submitted telling why the person would be suitable for that award from Natalie Wayne, our county extension director. They had to be involved in farming in their community and be the mother in their family,” said Bethany, when asked to describe the award.

Bethany is involved in farming with her husband Dawson on Middle Creek Farms in Engelhard.

“We do corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, fresh-market red potatoes, and string beans,” said Bethany when asked what is grown on her farm.

Middle Creek Farms is about 4,000 acres. Eight employees are involved in the operation of the farm along with Dawson and Bethany.

Bethany’s children include a son Stephen, and two daughters Ginny Grace, and Patricia.

Each regional winner will receive a $5000 award. The Monsanto nominee’s original biographical information and original nomination are also currently posted online at AmericasFarmers.com, where visitors can click to vote for their favorite farm mom. The woman  who receives the most votes between April 25 and May 6, will be named the “National Farm Mom of the Year” — just in time for Mother’s Day. As a bonus, she will also receive an additional $5,000 prize.

“There are so many tremendous stories of strength, perseverance, dedication and leadership that it makes it difficult to narrow it down to just a few winners,” says Jessica Simmons, Corporate Marketing for Monsanto in a press release about the contest. “Every farm mom deserves to be recognized for the work she does. But with the help of the American Agri-Women, we are proud to present this year’s five regional winners.”

Bethany said she likes that farming is a lifestyle and something that can be done as a family.

“Stephen, our oldest, is starting to drive a tractor. We can all be at work with Dawson. Even though the hours are long, it is nice to know that we can be there together,” said Bethany.

Bethany is an owner with Middle Creek Farms. She is in charge of bookkeeping, record keeping, and FSA reporting and many other things.

The 2014 regional winners of the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest, include:

• Northwest Region: Jennifer Holle (Mandan, N.D.)

• Southwest Region: Heather Dineen (Waxahachie, Texas)

• Midwest Region: Stephanie Essick (Dickens, Iowa)

• Northeast Region: Kristen Nickerson (Worton, Md.)

• Southeast Region: Bethany Pugh (Engelhard, N.C.)

 

“Although these women come from vastly different parts of the country and specialize in varied types of farming, it’s clear they have many more common interests that bind them together — their love of family, community and agriculture,” says Kris Zilliox, of American Agri-Women in another related press release about the event. “Each one of them represent today’s women in agriculture so well, we have no doubt that we’ll have a fantastic 2014 national farm mom, no matter who America chooses.”

For a list of winners, past or present winner profiles or official contest rules, visit AmericasFarmers.com. Interested parties may also send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Sue Dillon, 349 Marshall Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63119.

About American Agri-Women

AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women and includes members from more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org . Find AAW on social media at: Facebook.com/AgriWomen/ and Twitter.com/Women4Ag/ (@Women4Ag).