ISPFMRA honors Wargel, Boerngen

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Two members of the Illinois Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers were honored for their contributions toward the organization and the profession.

Thomas Wargel is the ISPFMRA’s newest Hall of Fame inductee, and Maria Boerngen was presented with the Service to Illinois Agriculture Award at the organization’s annual meeting Feb. 5.

Wargel is in his 24th year as owner and operator of Black Prairie Ag Service in Clinton in central Illinois as an accredited farm manager and real estate broker.

Black Prairie Ag Service is a full-service farm management, real estate and consulting firm that serves clients throughout the United States.

Wargel has been a farm manager and ISPFMRA member for nearly 36 years.

In making the presentation, Elizabeth Strom, the society’s immediate past president and accredited farm manager at People’s Company, Champaign, noted that Wargel is “just one of those guys who is always there, asking how he can help with whatever the project. He volunteers time, and ideas, with no expectation of return except to benefit the chapter and its members.”

Strom added that he’s one of those who is “not satisfied to making the status quo, but they’re always coming up with new ways to promote the industry, to promote what we do as an organization, and always pitching in to help out — and he’s a really nice guy.”

“I was totally shocked to receive the Hall of Fame Award. I don’t view myself as being worthy or old enough to receive the award, but here I am,” Wargel said.

“I’m just very proud to be a member of this organization of great people, and it’s a top-notch group that really cares about their customers and their clients.”

Wargel, who admitted being speechless when he was called forward to receive the honor, said he is most proud of his family and business, which now includes son Kinser, and of his time spent with the chapter.

“We really are a big family, always looking out for how we can help each other grow as professionals,” Wargel added.

This is the highest citation the chapter presents to active members and dates back to 1980.

Service To Agriculture

Boerngen, Illinois State University agribusiness professor, is ISPFMRA academic vice president and has been involved with the group since 2017.

The Service to Agriculture Award is the highest honor the chapter bestows on a non-manager or appraiser and has been awarded since 1940.

In presenting the award, Strom cited Boerngen’s dedication to teaching farm management courses at ISU and her involvement with managing the chapter scholarship program for two-year campus students who are moving into four-year academic programs at the state’s larger campuses.

Boerngen was also cited for expanding and monitoring a student and member mentoring program, as well as her work with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in producing a regular publication for the national association.

“I’ve been coming to the annual meeting since 2017. I’ve seen some really key people in Illinois agriculture win this award and never dreamed that I would be chosen for it,” Boerngen said.

“I’m just really humbled and honored and I feel really fortunate to be part of this organization, and I just really appreciate being recognized.”