Jeff Winton of Mayville, Rural Minds founder and chairman, was presented with the “Cap Creal” Communicator of the Year Award at the 193rd annual Forum of the New York State Agricultural Society.

“On behalf of the 46 million rural Americans we serve, our partners and our team members, I am honored and grateful to have received the New York State Agricultural Society’s 2025 ‘Cap Creal’ Communicator Award,” said Winton. “We appreciate the recognition and opportunity to raise awareness for rural mental health challenges and expand our work partnering with individuals and organizations to improve rural mental health.”

MAYVILLE, NY - Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton was presented with the prestigious "Cap Creal" Communicator of the Year Award at the 193rd Annual Forum of the New York State Agricultural Society on January 9, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y. The event featured the NYS Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets' "State of Agriculture" address.

"On behalf of the 46 million rural Americans we serve, our partners and our team members, I am honored and grateful to have received the New York State Agricultural Society's 2025 'Cap Creal' Communicator Award," said Winton. "We appreciate the recognition and opportunity to raise awareness for rural mental health challenges and expand our work partnering with individuals and organizations to improve rural mental health."

The New York State Agricultural Society Cap Creal Awards spotlight the work contributed by a variety of stakeholders to disseminate well-executed communications about NY agriculture and food. The three awards include: Communicator of the Year, Digital & Social Media Champion, and Traditional Journalism.

This year, Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton was selected for the 2025 Communicator of the Year Award.