Retired MidAtlantic Farm Credit senior vice-president Kenny Bounds was honored for his service and contributions Thursday evening as Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee presented him with the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture.
Bounds, a veteran of the Farm Credit System for more than three decades, retired late last year as Delmarva regional manager. He previously served as director of government affairs.
“Kenny Bounds has worked tirelessly for his entire career to support, promote and enhance Delaware’s family farms,” Kee said in presenting the award at the Delaware Council of Farm Organizations’ annual Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner, attended by more than 400 people, including farmers, business leaders and elected officials. “His service to the First State is extraordinary. Kenny recognizes the importance of hard work, innovation, dedication and enterprise. His career is a testament to helping our farmers thrive and grow, feeding our families, nation and the world.”
Bounds, who lives near Laurel, is a 1977 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. He has served as president of the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., trade group and president of the LEAD Maryland Foundation. He has been honored by the nationwide Farm Credit System with its Phelps-Martin Award for Community Service; by the Farm Credit System of Baltimore with its Distinguished Service Award; and by DPI with the J. Frank Gordy Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award, among other accolades.
Past recipients of the Secretary’s Award include Farm Service Agency official Robin Talley (2015); Schiff Farms of Harrington (2015); farmers Laura Hill of Lewes and Barbara Sapp of Milton (2014); dairy farmer Walter C. Hopkins Sr. of Lewes (2013); U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Scuse, a former Delaware secretary of agriculture (2012); Delmarva Farmer Senior Editor Bruce Hotchkiss (2012); James Baxter of Georgetown (2011); brothers David, Ed and Robert Baker of Middletown (2010); and Bill Vanderwende of Bridgeville (2009).
