Once again, we honor one of our own! - this time we honor Glenn Cook of Amesbury. Glenn was awarded the John Ogonowski Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture at the December Annual Meeting of the MA Farm Bureau Federation. This award was established in 2001 as a memorial to Ogonowski, longtime Farm Bureau board member, county leader and victim of the September 11th terrorist attack.

Glenn has had a lifelong love of farming. He began his career in agriculture while still in high school, co-managing a farm in Hamilton. He went on to receive a degree in horticulture, specializing in the cultivation of fruit. Over the years, he worked at a number of nurseries and orchards, and taught at the Essex Agricultural and Technical Institue. Glenn and his wife Karen purchased farm property in Amesbury and later merged their business with his parents' property, forming Cider Hill Farm. Some 30 years later, the farm produces over 70 varieties of apples, along with an assortment of peaches, pears, plums, small fruit, vegetables and chickens. This year he reached his goal of achieving 100% of the energy needs for the farm through renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. Following in Ogonowski's footsteps, Glenn has shared his passion for agriculture by mentoring over 85 international agricultural exchange students from 20 different countries. By sharing his knowledge and expertise of sustainable farming, this agricultural ambassador has an ever-widening impact.

WE CONGRATULATE YOU, GLENN!