COLUMBIA, Mo. -- (AP) Larry and Brenda Potterfield have been chosen by Gov. Mike Parson to receive a prestigious conservation award this weekend.
Parson selected the Columbia couple for the Governor's State of Missouri Conservation Award. The award will be presented at the National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards ceremony Saturday at the Missouri National Guard's training center, which is along the Missouri River in Jefferson City. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.
Parson said he hand-picked the couple because they have shown outstanding leadership in conservation and have positively contributed to conservation efforts in the state, according to a news release from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
The Potterfields own and operate MidwayUSA, an online retailer of hunting, fishing and other outdoor products. In 2007 the couple created an offshoot of the company, The MidwayUSA Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on youth education, shooting activities and awareness of conservation efforts.
The Potterfields' work with the foundation has received accolades from several hunting and conservation-related organizations, including NRA Publications and the Safari Club International.
Heritage Foundation Vice President Bruce Sassmann congratulated the couple on their work for the foundation.
"We are very pleased to recognize them for all they have done in Missouri to help our youth learn about conservation, ethical hunting practices and wildlife management," he said.