Kamyar Enshayan Wins Sustainable Agriculture Achievenent Award
News Release For Immediate Release 12/6/07
Contact: Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515) 232-5661, sally@practicalfarmers.org
Photo of Kamyar
Kamyar Enshayan Wins Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award
Cedar Falls—Kamyar Enshayan of Cedar Falls is the recipient of the 2008 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award. Practical Farmers of Iowa grants this award to the person who has been most influential in creating vibrant communities, healthful food, and diverse farms.
Kamyar is currently program manager for the University of Northern Iowa Local Food Project, which has been instrumental in strengthening the local food system in Iowa. Kamyar has been promoting sales of local food in Iowa since 1997, when he received funds from the Leopold Center to connect local farmers with institutions. In 2002 Kamyar helped launch the Buy Fresh, Buy Local (BFBL) campaign in northeast Iowa with support from the University of Northern Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Kamyar has consulted with other Iowa communities to create successful BFBL campaigns across Iowa.
Eric Franzenburg, President of Practical Farmers of Iowa, said the Board of Directors chose Kamyar for this esteemed award because of the influence he has had on the local agriculture movement. “Kamyar was one of the very first supporters of Buy Fresh, Buy Local we had in the state,” states Eric. “He was supporting local farmers before it was cool.”
Kamyar said about receiving the award: “I’ve been inspired by PFI from when PFI began. I can’t think of a greater honor in my professional career than to be given this award by an organization that I respect deeply. This award is the most meaningful award that I have ever received.”
In addition to his work on the Local Food Project, Kamyar teaches environmental education classes at UNI. He also is program manager for Yards for Kids, an environmental health education initiative aimed at reducing children’s exposure to household pesticides. This program has reduced the amount of pesticides used by the city of Cedar Falls by 95% since 1997, saving the city nearly $100,000 and reducing the amount of park land that comes in contact with pesticides to 3%. Kamyar recently won re-election to his city council seat for Cedar Falls. He has received numerous grants and awards, given and given numerous keynote addresses and consultations nationwide.
Kamyar will be presented the Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award at PFI’s 2008 Annual Conference, Come to the Table, January 11-12 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines.
PFI is a non-profit sustainable agriculture group dedicated to farming that is profitable, environmentally sound, and healthy for consumers and communities. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.