One of Washington’s leading agricultural organizations today presented its top honor to Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler. The second-annual “Excellence in Agriculture” award from the Spokane-based AgriBusiness Council went to Schoesler in recognition of his “significant and positive influence on the agricultural industry in the Inland Northwest” during 2014.

“Who promotes agriculture more than Senator Schoesler? He is such an advocate,” said Myrna O’Leary, longtime director of the Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum. “Everyone on this side of the mountains knows him – he is the farmers’ go-to guy.”

With the 2015 legislative session less than one-quarter of the way through, Schoesler could not leave the Capitol, so his sister Gail Gering, a Liberty Lake resident, accepted the award on his behalf. Last year’s inaugural honor went to a longtime Washington agricultural business, meaning Schoesler is the first person to receive the award.

“I was completely surprised to be nominated and even more surprised and honored to be this year’s recipient,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, whose family has farmed in Adams County since before statehood in 1889.

“So many things happen in Olympia that affect agriculture. It’s the largest employer and most important industry in our state, and I’ve always felt it is my duty, as the only full-time farmer in the Legislature, to make sure agriculture has a healthy future.”

Photo: This year’s state Future Farmers of America officers listen to Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler during their Jan. 29 visit to the Senate chamber.