Harry Bennett, an organic farmer formerly of rural Marion, was presented with the John’s Vogelsberg Sustainable Ag Award March 21 during the annual Kansas Organic Producers meeting in Emporia.

Bennett has been in marketing with KOP for 35 years and will soon retire.

KOP established the award to honor those who are dedicated to preserving farming opportunities and vital communities.

“For the entire time I’ve known Harry, he has been a workhorse for social justice and a tireless worker for the environment,” KOP general manager Ed Reznicek said. “He’s patient, persistent, committed, and has been in it for the long haul. It’s an honor to present him this award.”

Soon after joining KOP, Bennett was elected to serve on the board and later served as board president. He is also a board member and president for the Kansas Rural Center.

Even after Bennett and his wife, Margie, moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 2011, to be near their daughters and grandchildren, he served as KOP’s grain marketer for several years.