Two nationally known agricultural economists from Kansas State University will be in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 15, to receive a special recognition from Farm Credit.

G. Art Barnaby, professor, and Barry Flinchbaugh, professor emeritus, were selected for Farm Credit's Fresh Perspectives Top 100 Honorees for their passion in guiding agricultural interests through the complex global market. Flinchbaugh is receiving the additional honor of being in the Top 10 among those who will receive the award.

Both Barnaby and Flinchbaugh are being honored for their influence on rural policy. Selected by a distinguished panel of industry representatives, the honorees are credited for being leaders and visionaries in creating the future of agriculture and rural America through their dedication and innovation.

Barnaby is an expert in farm insurance, and his research was used as the basis for the first revenue insurance contract. He continues to serve in the extension field and is an icon to agricultural finance leaders. Barnaby provides educational programs on crop insurance, government commodity programs and risk throughout Kansas. His work emphasizes the development of alternative public policies for crop disaster protection. For example, he developed the Crop Revenue Coverage, which has been renamed Revenue Protection. This program is currently providing nearly $85 billion of coverage for America's farmers. His other research explores the impact of government commodity programs.

Flinchbaugh served as an agricultural economics professor for more than 45 years. His work has helped mold current U.S. agricultural policy. His service on numerous national task forces, boards of directors and advisory groups has allowed him to provide input on domestic food and agriculture policy. He served as chairman of the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture authorized in the 1996 FAIR ACT. Flinchbaugh also is chair of the Landon Lecture Patrons for Kansas State University's prestigious Landon Lecture Series.