Clinton Ray Miller Award
Honoring service, stewardship, and leadership in agriculture and community
The Clinton Ray Miller Award honors individuals who embody lifelong service to agriculture, land stewardship, and community leadership. This award recognizes people who quietly and consistently show up for farmers, food systems, and rural communities—often without recognition or reward.
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Named in memory of Clinton Ray Miller, the award reflects values he lived by: generosity, integrity, hard work, and a deep belief in the importance of local agriculture and civic engagement.
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Each year, Red Acre Center presents this award at the Utah Farm & Food Conference to a community member whose actions strengthen farming and food systems in meaningful, lasting ways.
2025
Tony RIchards
Tony Richards was recognized for his exceptional leadership in advancing soil health across Utah. Through education, mentorship, and on-the-ground collaboration with farmers of all scales, Tony has helped build uncommon common ground around the five principles of soil health.
Tony has also played a key role in helping secure over one million dollars in funding for soil health equipment, expanding access and impact statewide.
2024
AlDine Grossi
“Punk Rock Farmer Al”
Aldine “Al” Grossi—known as Punk Rock Farmer Al—is a community gardener and advocate for local food and home growing in the Salt Lake City area. On KRCL’s “Punk Rock Farmer Fridays”, he shares gardening insights and encourages backyard food production and community food autonomy. Grossi’s unique blend of DIY punk ethos and gardening education aims to inspire people to grow their own food and strengthen local resilience.
2023
Gwen Crist
Gwen Crist has been a passionate advocate for local food and small farmers for decades. Raised on an organic farm and now serving as the Utah Farmers Market Network Handbook Coordinator, she has deep experience organizing markets, events, and educational activities that strengthen local food systems. Gwen served on the Board of Directors for Slow Food Utah for more than 11 years—10 of them as Chair—where she helped launch programs like Eat Local Week, the Honeybee Festival, and the Feast of Five Senses fundraiser to support local food microgrants. She also serves on the Board of Urban Food Connections of Utah and has played a key role in strategic planning and local food initiatives statewide.
2022
Marc Roberts
​Marc Roberts was recognized for his leadership in advancing farmer-focused food policy and his long-term service to Red Acre Center. During his time in the Utah State Legislature, Marc played a key role in supporting raw milk legislation and other efforts that expanded food choice and strengthened direct relationships between farmers and consumers. In addition to his legislative work, Marc served on the Board of Red Acre Center, helping guide the organization’s mission to support local agriculture and farmer education.
