The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) recognized Dr. James Luby, Ted Matthews, and Dr. Craig Sheaffer with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award at the organization’s 107th Annual Meeting Awards Banquet on November 21 in Minnetonka.

This annual award highlights individuals whose work has made a significant and lasting impact on agriculture in Minnesota.

 

James Luby, University of Minnesota
 Dr. James Luby is professor emeritus in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota and former Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Professional Studies in Horticulture. He led the University’s fruit crops breeding program from 1982 to 2024, introducing 31 cultivars of apples, wine grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits, including the acclaimed Honeycrisp and SweeTango apples. Luby co-developed the SweeTango apple by crossing Honeycrisp with Zestar! He continues to advance new varieties, including the First Kiss apple.

 

Beyond research, Luby teaches the popular course “Hort 1031 Vines and Wines” and advises graduate and undergraduate students in plant breeding and fruit production. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, Luby’s career has shaped fruit breeding, horticultural education, and the science behind the flavors enjoyed in Minnesota and beyond.

 

Ted Matthews, Minnesota Rural Mental Health
 Ted Matthews is a mental health practitioner with more than 30 years of experience supporting rural communities across America. Specializing in farmer mental health, he provides counseling for anxiety, depression, PTSD, crisis intervention, family issues, suicidology, and domestic abuse. Matthews has worked closely with farm couples, families grieving loss, and those facing trauma from disease outbreaks or industry pressures.

 

Featured on Huffington Post, MPR News, CNN, NPR, AgriNews, Successful Farming, and Prairie Farmer, Matthews helps the public understand farming culture. In the 1990s, he helped launch a pioneering model of mental health care tailored to rural life, emphasizing accessible counseling without red tape or cost. Known for meeting farmers where they are, Matthews has been a lifeline for those navigating stress, isolation, and tragedy in agriculture.

 

Craig Sheaffer, University of Minnesota
 Craig Sheaffer grew up near Hershey, Pennsylvania, and earned degrees from Delaware Valley College and the University of Maryland before joining the University of Minnesota’s Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics in 1977. Now retired, he dedicated 47 years to research, teaching, and extension focused on forage crops and sustainable agriculture.

 

A nationally recognized alfalfa expert, Sheaffer advanced understanding of forage physiology, harvest management, and winter survival, and led Minnesota’s alfalfa variety testing program for more than two decades. His research contributed to the release of new forage and grain varieties and was among the first to explore organic production systems in the Midwest. A passionate educator, he taught nearly 5,000 students, authored “Introduction to Agronomy”, and developed the University’s first course in sustainable agriculture. Known for his mentorship and collaboration with farmers, Sheaffer’s legacy continues through his students, colleagues, and contributions to Minnesota’s agricultural community.