AgStar Financial Services is proud to announce that its president and CEO Paul DeBriyn recently received the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

The Siehl Prize recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the production of food and alleviation of hunger in three separate categories: production, agribusiness and knowledge. DeBriyn won the award in the agribusiness category. James Thompson received the prize for production agriculture and Wallace “Wally” Nelson received the award in the category of knowledge.

For more than 24 years as the president and CEO of AgStar Financial Services, DeBriyn has directed the company to serve rural America by providing financing, counsel and other services to those who feed, service and fuel the world. DeBriyn is committed to strengthening connections between agriculture, the rural economy and the health of rural communities.

“Building off Paul’s leadership and his unique personal approach to serving clients and the cooperative owners of the farm credit lending system, the institution of AgStar Financial Services is very relevant to the qualifications of a Siehl Prize laureate and the agribusiness area of the prize,” said Daryn McBeth, president of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, who nominated DeBriyn. “AgStar is an institution, but indeed Paul’s fingerprints and building blocks are everywhere throughout the company.”

“I’m deeply humbled by this award and the recognition received for my contributions to agribusiness,” said DeBriyn. “To stand next to these leaders in agribusiness and know of the accomplishments they have made for agriculture is truly an honor.”

The Siehl Prize is named in honor of philanthropist Eldon Siehl, a successful Minnesota businessman who wanted to educate the general public about where their food came from and to provide recognition for the dedicated people who make it their life’s work.

About AgStar:

AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, employs more than 600 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. AgStar’s industry specialization, client segments and market delivery systems result in diversification nationwide. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, tax services, accounting, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its more than 13,000 stockholders. Visit www.AgStar.com for more information.