Seeking Missouri’s Best Farmers

Nominate a deserving farmer – or apply yourself. The Missouri Master Farmer award program application deadline is July 1.

Missouri Ruralist and University of Missouri Extension, coordinators of the Missouri Master Farmer Award program, are calling for nominations and applications for the 2011-12 class of Missouri Master Farmers.

This year's winners will be recognized Dec. 10 in Kansas City at the 2011 National Young Farmers Educational Association Institute banquet. The Missouri Master Farmers will also participate in an educational roundtable discussion with young farmers. All in all, it’s an ideal opportunity to showcase Missouri agriculture and our top-notch ag producers to a group of 300 to 400 young farmers from around the country.

Hosted by the Missouri Young Farmers-Young Farm Wives Association, the NYFEA institute is being held Dec.7-10 in Kansas City. A MYF/YFW planning committee is working to finalize plans for event, which will include educational programs as well as agricultural tours in northwest Missouri. For more information, visit the website.

The Missouri Master Farmer award program is for Missourians involved in production agriculture – crop farmers, beef, swine, dairy and poultry producers, vegetable and fruit growers, tree farmers or vineyard owners. The award program seeks individuals with innovative ideas, business skills, sound conservation practices, agricultural leadership and community service, and young farmer mentoring abilities.

“This program will recognize farmers who have not only been successful in farming, but who are also assets to their communities and to agriculture,” says Ron Plain, MU Extension economist. “This is not meant to be a lifetime achievement award, but to recognize currently active farmers.”

For an application form, click on the Master Farmer Award link on this website, or visit the MU Extension website and click on the Master Farmer link there. An easy-to-fill out nomination form is also available in Missouri Ruralist magazine. The deadline is July 1.

If you have questions or would like to nominate a deserving Missouri farmer for this award, contact Ron Plain, University of Missouri Agriculture Economics Department, at 573-882-0134.
(by Jerilyn Johnson, Missouri Ruralist)