Governor's Agricultural Achievement Award

Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce speaks to members of the New Madrid County Central High School FFA at the A.C. Riley Cotton Gin in New Madrid. In the background is FFA member Beth Clark. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, and Missouri Director of Agriculutre Richard Fordyce talk about cotton. Fordyce was in New Madrid Thursday to present the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award to James. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, discusses cotton with Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. Fordyce was in New Madrid to present James with the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff) (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, discusses cotton with Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. James was the recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff) (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, holds an unopened cotton boll for Missouri Director of Agricultue Richard Fordyce and an audience watching the broadcast on the Internet. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, explains how cotton grows to Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. Fordyce was in New Madrid on Wednesday to present James with the Governor's Agricultural Achievement Award. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, right, and others watch as a cotton module is unloaded at the A.C. Riley Cotton Gin in New Madrid. Riley James, the Gin's manager, was the recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, explains the ginning process to Missouir Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, and New Madrid County Central High School FFA members Kelsey Morgan and Jessica Brewer. James was named a recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Jessica Brewer holds ginned cotton as she and Lauren Riggs, member of the New Madrid County Central High School's FFA chapter, tour the A.C. Riley Cotton Gin. Riley James, manager of the gin and a local cotton farmer, is the recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

A bale of ginned cotton is automatically moved from the A.C. Riley Cotton Gin. Riley James, manager of his family's gin, is a recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Cotton fresh from the field sits in bails at the A.C. Riley Cotton Gin. Riley James, manager of the gin, received the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, accepts a framed certificate for being named a recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Riley James, left, accepts a proclamation by the Missouri Senate honoring for being named a recipient of the Governor's Agricultural Achievment Award on Wednesday from Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. (Jill Bock, Staff)