The Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education has named Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) the winner of the 2017 Jim Guilinger Legislative Award, according to a press release.
“Agricultural education is a program that is working," Swanson said in the press release. "More students involved with agricultural education are working than ever before, as this industry is the largest industry employing Illinoisans."
Swanson also said that more young women and students from urban areas are getting into agricultural education.
Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha)
| Courtesy of repswanson.com
Swanson is the second 74th District representative to earn the award. Don Moffitt received the honor in 2005.
The ILCAE advocates for agricultural education through legislation, promotion and funding. The group has a board of directors with 30 members, its website said.
Swanson won election to the state Legislature in November 2016 and took office in January. He represents the 74th District, which includes the cities of Kewanee, Geneseo, New Boston, Woodhull, Walnut, Princeton and Oneida.
The award's namesake was a Sycamore teacher and the country's top vocational-agriculture teacher in 1982, according to the press release.
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