Farmers work every day for better, more efficient methods of raising crops and livestock. A Missouri Master Farmer Award program is being started to recognize the top-notch producers in the state. Four individuals will earn $1,000 cash prizes and industry-wide recognition each year, starting in 2008.

Coordinators of the award program are Missouri Ruralist magazine and University of Missouri Extension, with support from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Gold sponsor, FCS Financial, will help fund the awards and educational program.

The Master Farmer Award program is created for all Missourians involved in agriculture – crop farmers, livestock producers, vegetable and fruit growers, tree farmers and vineyard owners. The judging committees will be looking for the best managers with innovative ideas, sound business skills, financial recordkeeping, soil and water conservation practices, agricultural leadership, and community service.

An awards banquet for the first set of winners is planned for the 2009 Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture. Also planned is an educational roundtable discussion with representatives from Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT), young farmer groups, FFA and 4-H. The long-range goal of the Master Farmer Program is to build a Master-Young Farmer mentoring program.

The nomination deadline is July 1, 2008. An application is available in pdf or Word doc format on this Web site. Web links and nomination forms also are available at MU Extension Centers and at FCS Financial offices throughout the state, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture in Jefferson City.

Send applications to:
Missouri Master Farmer
220 Mumford Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Award recipients will be notified in September.
If you have questions about the process, contact Ron Plain at 573-882-0134; plainr@missouri.edu or Jerilyn Johnson, Missouri Ruralist editor, at 816-586-5555; jjohnson@farmprogress.com

Use the links to the left under Resources to apply.