KANSAS CITY — Nominations are being accepted until March 29 for the 2013 “Milling Operative of the Year” award, which recognizes excellent performance by a North American miller.

Established in 1986 by Milling & Baking News, sister publication of World Grain, the award will be presented in May to the practicing milling operative who has made the most significant contribution to the progress of a plant, a company and the industry from an operating point of view.

The 28th annual “Milling Operative of the Year” award will be presented on May 2 at the I.A.O.M. Banquet and Awards Ceremony of the 117th annual International Association of Operative Millers Conference and Expo, April 29-May 3, in Niagara Falls, Ont. The winner will receive an inscribed plaque, and a scholarship will be established in the winner’s name at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

Selection of the winner will be made by the staff of Milling & Baking News. Ken Ball, Star of the West Milling, Quincy, Mich., was the recipient of the 2012 award.

Other recent winners include: Scott Martin, ConAgra Mills, Omaha, in 2011; Emil Kolb, Cargill, Minneapolis, in 2010; Greg Ball, King Milling Company, Lowell, Mich., in 2009; Ted Korolchuk, ConAgra Mills, Omaha, in 2008; and Michael Wade Blalock, Milner Milling Company Inc., Barnesville, Ga., in 2007.