Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, rheal@cfra.org, 402.687.2100 ext 1025
LYONS, NEBRASKA – The Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Anthony and Mariel Barreras, of Blair, Nebraska, to receive its 2018 Citizenship Award. They will be recognized at an award ceremony on March 8 in York, Nebraska.
The Citizenship Award is given to an individual or individuals who actively participate in the civic process for creating public policy, and who work closely with the Center for Rural Affairs to advance public policies that strengthen family farms, ranches, and rural communities.
“Together, Anthony and Mariel have supported policy priorities at the state and federal levels,” said Cora Fox, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs.
Anthony and Mariel co-own and co-operate Barreras Family Farm. Anthony currently serves in the U.S. Army.
In March 2018, Mariel participated in a farmer fly-in to Washington, D.C., to discuss training and educational resources for veteran farmers. In Nebraska, in both 2018 and 2019, Mariel has provided testimony in favor of the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit.
“Collaboration with local leaders such as Anthony and Mariel is essential to our work at the Center for Rural Affairs,” Fox said. “They have helped us advance key priorities through their thoughtful, unwavering, and effective advocacy.”
The couple were featured speakers at the second annual Veteran Farmer Conference sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs and Legal Aid of Nebraska. They hosted a farm tour for beginning veteran farmers in May 2018.
Anthony and Mariel have eight children, who also contribute to the family farm.
