Riverland Community College Farm Business Management Instructor Gary Thome was named Minnesota Outstanding Ag Educator for 2009-2010.

The Outstanding Ag Ed Teacher Award is an award that distinguishes NAAE members who are at the pinnacle of their profession-those who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education.

Thome has been teaching farm business management for more than 35 years. The last 21 years for Riverland Community College in Austin.

“I become a counselor, advocate, and friend,” Thome said. “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Toyota sponsors the Outstanding Ag Ed Award as a special project of the FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE office is located on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Riverland farm business management program is designed to help organize a farmer’s resources to assist in meeting family and financial goals. Courses explore various topics including: economic principles, farm practices, agricultural science, new developments in the field and decision making skills. Instructors primarily work with clients/students one on one.