Business, educator and family recognized by Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce at ag banquet

QUINCY — The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ag Banquet on Tuesday, March 11, at Town & Country Inn and Suites celebrates the contributions of the agricultural community and honors leaders who make a difference in the field.

Bastert Farm Equipment was named the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness of the Year, Mike Tenhouse was recognized as the Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year, and the David Schutte family was named Herald-Whig Family of the Year. Homebank was the presenting sponsor for the banquet.

Established in 1986, Bastert Farm Equipment of Camp Point is a family-owned and operated farm equipment dealership. It 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 played a pivotal role in the development and construction of the JWCC Agricultural Sciences Complex and Learning Center, leaving a lasting legacy in agricultural education.

David and Janet Schutte, along with their son Joe and daughter-in-law Cheryl, handle the farming on their Liberty property. They farm around 1,200 acres of row crops and have cows along with about 100 acres of grass hay and pasture. 

“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 banquet’s guest speaker was Mike Pearson, host of “This Week in Agribusiness” on RFD-TV. Pearson is a nationally respected agricultural journalist, broadcaster and advocate. He is 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. 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. That award is co-sponsored by the John Wood Community College Ag Alumni.