Niles resident Sarah Peterson was awarded a $5,000 check at the Cass County Fair Tuesday evening for being chosen as a Monsanto’s 2012 Farm Mom of the Year for the northeast region.

Monsanto America’s Farmers Program Farm Moms of America contest asked family, friends or neighbors to write a 300-word essay about a farm mom they knew who represented their family, community, the agricultural industry and their farm well. Anne Coles, a neighbor of Peterson’s, wrote the essay with the help of other neighbors, nominating Peterson for the northeast region of the country. Around Mother’s Day, Peterson received a phone call telling her she had won.

“I cried,” Peterson said. “I had no idea they (neighbors) had written in … and to know that people thought highly enough of me to nominate me.”

Peterson, who had her four horses at the fair for shows and classes, said she and her husband, both Michigan State University graduates, wanted to use the money toward student loans.

“A portion of it will go toward the school loans we have,” Peterson said. “But we also will use some for ourselves, something just for us.”

Brad Roberts, a marketing and communications manager with Monsanto, was on hand to present the check in the draft horse ring at the fairgrounds. He said Peterson is one of five regional winners nationwide. The selection of the winners, which is based off the essay, is chosen by the American Agri-women Organization.

“To be selected as a regional winner is a great accomplishment,” Roberts said.

The contest applies toward any farm mother, from crop farms to ranches.

“I got a chance to meet all five (winners),” Roberts said. “What’s amazing to me is how outstanding they all are. The energy they all have for what they do with their farm, their community and raising a family … it amazes me.”