At his recent statewide conference, Stearns County Agricultural Inspector Bob Dunning was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Association of County Agricultural Inspectors (MACAI) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

This award is rarely — if ever — presented, and it recognizes Bob’s decades of exceptional dedication, leadership, and partnership in advancing the agricultural inspector program across Minnesota.

Throughout his career, Bob has served on numerous committees and legislative projects, representing both MACAI and MDA at the state level. He played a key role in passing the bill that funded the County Agricultural Inspector position for the first time, advocating at the Capitol at legislative hearings and working closely with the Association of Minnesota Counties. Locally, he has been instrumental in training weed inspectors and conducting extensive road surveys to develop noxious weed management strategies across Stearns County.

Bob will retire at the end of August, making this recognition a fitting tribute to his lasting contributions to agriculture, public service, and environmental stewardship.

“Bob’s work has left a lasting mark both here in Stearns County and statewide,” said County Highway Engineer Jodi Teich. “This recognition is well deserved.”