At the Iowa State Fair Wednesday, August 16, Ron Stutsman of Riverside was recognized as the Iowan of the Day, a program created by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who …
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At the Iowa State Fair Wednesday, August 16, Ron Stutsman of Riverside was recognized as the Iowan of the Day, a program created by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference across the state. This year the committee selected ten Iowans who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, Iowa pride, hard work, and dedication to their communities.
Speed Harrig of Cookies Food Products recognized Stutsman on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
“Ron Stutsman is the face of his Johnson County community,” he told fairgoers gathered at the stage. “Both his town and the state of Iowa have benefited greatly from his contributions to many organizations, such as Sharon Center United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the board; the Iowa 4-H Foundation, where he served as president; and the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, where he served as president, just to name a portion of his involvement.
“Ron makes himself as well as his resources available whenever needed in his community,” Harrig continued. “He has served on the Hills Bank and Trust Board of Directors, president of Goodwill Industries Southeast Iowa, and is a member of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce.
“On top of all this, Ron is the owner and operator of Eldon Stutsman Incorporated, which has been in business for more than 80 years. All his family members have active roles in running the successful company. While Ron is a busy man, he always finds time to serve others.”
Harrig presented Stutsman with a framed certificate in recognition of his contribution to his state and community.
“I would just like to say thank you very much,” Stutsman said upon receipt of the award. “Our family has been in business for 80 years and I think that we participated in the Iowa State Fair 90% of the last 70 years, something like that. It’s always been important for 4-H, and all of the activities of the fair have been important to our family.”
After the presentation, The News caught up with Stutsman and asked him how it felt to be the Iowan of the Day.
“A little bit overwhelming,” he admitted, and added how important being involved with 4-H and agriculture has been for his family through the decades.
