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May 25 2006, 13:58

International Development Presents Ukrainian Project with Award

Tom Verdoorn presented Bob Lee, country manager for the Ukraine Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP), the 2006 International Development VP Award April 6, in Washington, D.C.

The International Development Division implemented this annual team recognition program, modeled after the Land O'Lakes President's Award, in 2004. All International Development employees, in the United States or overseas, have an opportunity to nominate superior teams whose actions and achievements reflect the following criteria:

  • Consistency with Land O'Lakes Values (people, performance, customer commitment, quality and integrity)

  • Exceptional operational or financial results

  • An extraordinary level of team spirit and cohesiveness

  • A positive impact on Land O'Lakes ability to sustain superior performance and/or profitable growth long-term.

    Also considered in the process are:

  • The level of challenge the team faced in achieving its goals

  • The risks involved

  • Whether the team's activities demanded a unique level of creativity

  • The team's ability to exercise leadership and build partnerships

    Verdoorn, vice president of the Land O’Lakes International Development Division, said while the competition was rigorous and each team was to be commended for its accomplishments, AMP had received much praise from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as reflected by an evaluation which stated:

    "Through AMP support, markets are being created where they did not exist before. AMP has changed the outlook of many small farmers in Ukraine who now regard their farming operations as profit-oriented businesses and respond more and more to market signals. Farmers are willing to meet the rigors and demands of the fresh produce market, but often lack knowledge of market demand, production techniques and customer contacts. AMP is effectively filling this gap. This new dynamic has had a very positive impact on rural incomes and employment in the six oblasts where the project operates."

    A review committee of U.S. University and USAID peers also selected AMP to participate in a USAID-sponsored consultation conference held in Egypt on "Linking Farmers to Markets." An AMP project representative was sponsored to attend and present at the conference, which will be attended by USAID representatives and people working throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

    This year's VP Award nominees were:

  • The Colombia Dairy Alternative Development Program Team

  • The International Deltek Implementation Team

  • The Ukraine Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) Team

  • The Land O'Lakes Zambia Title II Dairy Development Program

    Nominations are reviewed by International Development's senior management, who provide recommendations to narrow the field to a handful of finalists. From the group of finalists, Verdoorn selects the winning team.

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