Jordan Rasmussen, policy associate at Center for Rural Affairs and former student of Chuck Francis (from left), Brian Depew, executive director of Center for Rural Affairs, and Kathie Starkweather, Farm and Community Program director at Center for Rural Affairs, award Chuck and Barb Francis (third and fourth from left) with the Seventh Generation Award at a ceremony on March 10, in York, Nebraska. Chuck and Barb Francis are longtime friends of the Center and have supported the organizaton's work in multiple ways, through policy and agricultural work. Photo courtesy Center for Rural Affairs
Chuck and Barb Francis were honored with the Center for Rural Affairs’ 2017 Seventh Generation Award at an awards ceremony on March 10 in York, Nebraska.
The Seventh Generation Award is a lifetime service award presented to an individual or individuals who have made major contributions in improving rural life and protecting the land and water.
“Chuck and Barb are longtime friends of the Center, having supported multiple areas of our work through both their personal and professional affiliations and as advocates for a more sustainable rural future,” said Brian Depew, Center for Rural Affairs executive director.
Chuck Francis, professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, also teaches agroecology for the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Several Center for Rural Affairs staff have taken his classes at Nebraska.
Barb Francis is a Spanish teacher at Montessori School for Young Children, active in Wachiska Audubon Chapter, a long-term supporter of local food and farmers, concerned about water conservation and recycling and has worked with refugees in Nebraska.
While the Center’s work focuses domestically, the Francis’ vision knows no such bounds. Their work and volunteer efforts have also touched people in Colombia, the Philippines and Norway.
“Chuck has partnered with the Center on a number of projects, often providing an important university partnership that makes projects come together,” Depew said.