Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce to honor Agribusiness and Educator of the Year at March 11 ag banquet

QUINCY — The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced the honorees for its annual ag banquet, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, at Town & Country Inn and Suites. This event celebrates the contributions of the agricultural community and honors leaders who make a difference in the field.

Bastert Farm Equipment has been named the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness of the Year, and Mike Tenhouse will be recognized as the Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year. Homebank is the presenting sponsor for this year’s banquet.

Established in 1986, Bastert Farm Equipment is a family-owned and operated farm equipment dealership now in its second generation. Located in Camp Point, Bastert Farm Equipment serves large-scale farm operations, weekend warriors and homeowners.

Mike Tenhouse, who retired in 2024, dedicated 23 years to the John Wood Community College ag program. A native of Adams County, Tenhouse grew up on a cattle farm and earned his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University. After beginning his career at Moorman Manufacturing (now ADM) in Quincy, Tenhouse transitioned to education, where he taught animal science and beef management. He also played a role in the development and construction of the JWCC Agricultural Sciences Complex and Learning Center.

“Each year, this banquet serves as a reminder of how deeply agriculture impacts every aspect of our lives, from the food on our tables to the strength of our local economy,” Bruce Guthrie, president/CEO of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to honor this year’s recipients for their extraordinary contributions to agriculture and for setting an example of excellence for future generations.”

The ag banquet will feature guest speaker Mike Pearson, host of “This Week in Agribusiness” on RFD-TV. Pearson is a nationally respected agricultural journalist, broadcaster and advocate, known for his insights on market trends, farming innovations and the challenges facing the agricultural community.

The chamber has presented the Agribusiness of the Year Award since 2000 to highlight the importance of the agriculture industry in supporting the stability and growth of our local economy. The Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year Award, established in 2015, honors people who have made significant impacts on students and the future of agriculture. This award is co-sponsored by the John Wood Community College Ag Alumni.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the ag bganquet are available. To celebrate the leaders of our agricultural community, visit https://business.quincychamber.org/chamber-events or contact the Chamber office.