AUGUSTA — A Mount Vernon resident who has led the Maine Farm Bureau Association for nearly 25 years was honored Tuesday with the 2015 Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show for his contributions to Maine agriculture.

Jon Olson accepted the award from Gov. Paul LePage and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb at the annual trade show held at the Augusta Civic Center.

Additional Images

Gov. Paul LePage presents an award to Jon Olson, executive secretary of the Maine Farm Bureau Association, on Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center during the Maine Agricultural Trades Show. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

“Maine has the most farms and the greatest diversity of food production in New England,” LePage said, according to a news release about the award. “Leaders like Jon Olson and the organization he represents, the Maine Farm Bureau, are part of why Maine agriculture is on the rise.”

Whitcomb, in the presentation of the award that has been given since 2001, praised Olson, who has served as executive secretary and administrator of the farm bureau for 24 years, for his lengthy public service career.

“Jon Olson has built a legacy accumulated through three decades of patient, respectful persuasion,” Whitcomb said. “No one individual in that period of time has had a more lasting influence over the well-being of Maine farm families. Today I am pleased to recognize your service on behalf of Maine’s agricultural community.”

The Maine Farm Bureau Association, with 5,700 members, is a statewide nonprofit organization that lobbies for issues important to agriculture, landowners and the rural way of life, according to its website.

Olson also serves on the University of Maine Board of Agriculture, the Maine Dairy Industry Association board of directors and the Maine Equine Industry Association board of directors. He is also one of the founders and the treasurer of the Agricultural Council of Maine.

Related Stories