District 8 Representative Mitch Fargen of Flandreau and District 10 Senator Shantel Krebs of Renner are this year’s recipients of the Outstanding Legislative Leader Awards from the South Dakota Farmers Union for the 2011 session.  The two lawmakers were honored during the Farmers Union’s Legislative Day activities in Pierre on Tuesday.
Fargen, who is in his second term in the state House representing District 8, serves on the House’s Commerce and Energy, Legislative Procedure, and State Affairs committees.  The State Farmers Union says Fargen has been a champion for renewable energy in the state, particularly ethanol, in his time in the Legislature and has had a major impact. 
The Farmers Union honors two legislators each year who have shown exemplary work in the previous legislative session on behalf of the agriculture industry.  Last year’s recipients were District 8 Senator Russ Olson of Wentworth and Representative Steve Street of Revillo.