Tolle Receives AFR Ag Advocacy Award

Francie Kucera Tolle has always considered herself a farmer and rancher.  Growing up on the family’s Grant County, Okla., farm, she learned first-hand the many sacrifices farmers had to make in order to feed their family and the families of many others. Today, Tolle has dedicated her career to serving the agriculture industry.

This strong compassion and agricultural background has led to AFR selecting Tolle, the current Regional Director of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency, to receive the coveted AFR Ag Advocacy Award.

“Francie has contributed a great deal to agriculture in Oklahoma and across the nation,” said Terry Detrick, AFR president. “When she was on our staff, we respected her knowledge and wisdom on crucial farm policy issues.”

Francie and her husband, Chuck Tolle, continue the farming legacy today in Grant County with their two sons, Cole and Clint.

Francie’s journey from a young farm girl to a national advocate for agriculture has been sprinkled with many accomplishments and contributions to agriculture.  In addition to her efforts as legislative policy analyst for AFR, she has worked as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers, Agricultural Liaison to Congressman Brad Carson, Director of Agritoursim for Oklahoma, and State Director of the Farm Service Agency.

“Being recognized by AFR as an advocate for agriculture is a huge honor for me,” Tolle said.  “I always try to do what I think is best for our agricultural producers.”

Last year Tolle received the Significant Women in Agriculture award from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.  When receiving the award she was quoted as saying her greatest accomplishment is building a legacy with her family to make sure that others will value and appreciate agriculture as a result of their stewardship. “My goal is to leave a legacy,” she said.