Agricultural News
OSU to Honor Virgil Jurgensmeyer with 2012 DASNR Champion Award
Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:06:04 CDT
Virgil Jurgensmeyer will be honored by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources as a 2012 DASNR Champion Award recipient March 28.
The DASNR Champion award recognizes and honors those who are not graduates of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources but who have brought distinction to the division while demonstrating a continuing interest in and commitment for agricultural sciences and natural resources.
Jurgensmeyer is the chief executive officer of J-M Farms in Miami, Okla., a mushroom production, processing, packaging and shipping facility that employs approximately 500 people and serves nine states. He served for many years on the Industry Advisory Committee of the OSU Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center.
"Virgil is a leader in the mushroom production and processing industry, and his Oklahoma-based company competes with the major mushroom businesses in the United States," said FAPC Director J. Roy Escoubas, "Virgil's broad respect as an agricultural producer and successful business leader has made his insights tremendously valuable. A founding member of the FAPC, he has always been sensitive to both immediate issues and long-term planning of the center and our many programs that serve Oklahoma agribusinesses."
In 2011, the Jurgensmeyers - who have been married for 59 years - generously made a $250,000 gift to DASNR to create the Virgil and Marge Jurgensmeyer Endowed Professorship in Food Product Development. The $250,000 gift will be matched by the generosity of T. Boone Pickens' 2008 chair and professorship match as part of the $1 billion Branding Success campaign. The state legislature previously committed to matching Pickens' portion, resulting in a total impact of $750,000.
"We believe in education," Jurgensmeyer replied when asked about the endowed professorship. "We also believe the FAPC is a great way to help young businesses."
Jurgensmeyer is active in many community organizations such as Rotary, Tar Creek Advisory Board, Miami Zoning Board, Miami School Enrichment Foundation and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He served for 15 years as a member of the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture, and remains active in the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and National Mushroom Council.
He has always "talked the talk and walked the walk," taking steps to ensure his commitment to agriculture and a better Oklahoma found its way into the lives of his three grown sons and grandchildren.
"I've always felt it was important to devote time with our children and grandchildren, teaching them how to be good stewards of the land so that it will be there for their children and grandchildren," Jurgensmeyer said.
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