Joe Leibbrandt receives two awards for dedication, contributions to ag industry

2021 is going out strong for Joe Leibbrandt, associate professor and department chair of Agriculture for Butler Community College. His dedication to the ag industry has been recognized twice this fall by Farm Bureau -- first at the county level and, most recently, the state level.  

On Dec. 5, Leibbrandt was presented with The Friends of Agriculture award by the Kansas State Farm Bureau Association. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas Farm Bureau and/or agriculture. Leibbrandt has dedicated his life’s work to educating others about agriculture and fostering ag-based programs such as 4-H, livestock judging, and swine research. In addition, during his seven years with Butler Community College’s agriculture department, he has worked with fellow faculty to implement a high tunnel for crop science, and recently developed and launched an online ag degree.

Leibbrandt was also named the recipient of the Butler County Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award earlier this fall. The award, presented in September, recognizes outstanding service on a national or significant statewide basis in the interest of agriculture. The Butler County Farm Bureau Association recognized Leibbrandt for his dedication to the industry, particularly in Ag Education for all ages; from 4-H to collegiate as well as consumer to producer.  

Growing up on a 130-year family-owned farm and ranch operation near St. Francis, Kansas, agriculture has been the only lifestyle for Leibbrandt. An alum of both Butler and Kansas State University, Leibbrandt has more than 40 years of experience serving the industry working at such places at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville and the Kansas State Research & Extension Office. He served as the 4-H representative for the Kansas State Swine Show for a decade. He has served on the Butler County Extension Board and serves as the superintendent at the Butler County 4-H Fair for both Livestock and Swine Judging. He has also been the First Chapter Advisor to the Butler Community College Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter since its start seven years ago.  

A former K-state Livestock Judging national champion, Leibbrandt’s early work in swine research focused on lab production practices and innovative nutrition, reproduction, and parasite management.