'Century farm' families honored

Vena Smith Brown is congratulated by County Commissioner Dick Hassler as she comes forward to receive the "Century Farm" sign, which was given to her and six other families in Saline County on Thursday, Nov. 9. [Click to enlarge]

Saline County's strong agriculture history was never more apparent than Thursday evening, Nov. 9, when seven area families were honored as owning "Century Farms" during a ceremony held at the Saline County Courthouse.

The descendants honored were of the Henry Blosser Farm, Vena Smith Brown Farm, Gary and Shirley Brown Farm, Mullins Family Farm, Orear Farm -- Maxine Orear; the Lindemann, Bomhake, Mette, Shikles and Irene Shikles Farm and Weaver Farms.

Those families join a list of almost 100 "Century Farms," farms owned by the same family for more than 100 years, honored since the program began in 1985, making Saline County the top in the state in Missouri in the number of century farms.

Irene Shikles, Katheryn Shikles and Morris Shikles were honored as "Century Farm" owners during a ceremony at the Saline County courthouse Thursday Nov. 9.  Also pictured are Saline County commissioners "Brownie" Brown and Dick Hassler. In back is Dave Baker. [Click to enlarge]

"That says a lot about your commitment to keep agriculture here in this county," said Dave Baker, of the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

"We did a study to look at the economic impact of agriculture -- in the state -- value added. Saline County leads in a lot of categories or is up towards the top, which says a lot about the value that agriculture has in this community. It says a lot about the commitment that you have to agriculture in this community," said Baker. He added that 43 percent of the value-added impact in Saline County comes from agriculture.

The keynote speaker for the evening Matt Boatright, Missouri's deputy director of agriculture, echoed those statements, pointing out that Missouri is second in the number of farm families in the United States.

"Agriculture is the great American success story and you're part of it," he said.

"I want you to know that agriculture is really the heartbeat of our economy," said Boatright. "It's just not the heartbeat of Saline County's economy as showed by the data Mr. Baker shared, but it is the heartbeat of the whole state economy."

Boatright emphasized the challenges and opportunities in agriculture during his speech, using several personal anecdotes.

The Saline County Extension Council also honored Annette Bishop of rural Marshall and Jack Harriman of rural Blackburn for their work in the community by placing them on the Extension Leader's Honor Roll.

"Annette you are being honored for your work to support the 4-H youth program. Office worker Linda Rimmer always knows that you will always help her with needed information or decision making when she calls," said Ron Duvall, Saline County extension council officer. Council member Mary Ann Gilpin presented Bishop with a plaque and gift.

Harriman was also presented a plaque and gift.

"The Harriman family is a long-time family that has been supportive of agriculture and quality of life in Saline County. Jack has been supportive of Extension Council … He was one of the first to tour the new extension council facility when it was moved," said Duvall.

The 2006 State Fair Farm Family, Joe, Lori and Berry Benedick of rural Marshall, were also recognized during the evening. They were chosen earlier in the summer and were honored on "Farm Family Day" during the Missouri State Fair in August.

Cynthia Crawford, Family Financial Education Specialist and county program director from Saline County, and Mark Stillwell, Central Missouri Extension Regional Director honored several Extension Partners in Community Education with plaques and personal gifts.

Among those recognized were the Bank of America, Missouri Valley College, the Marshall Democrat-News, KMMO radio, KMZU radio and Time-Warner Cable.

Several past Century Farm honorees were on hand as well as several members of the Extension Leader's Honor Roll.

Everette Wood, executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Marshall, concluded the evening by inviting women to the "Women in Agriculture" and Ag Landowner's conference set for Groundhog Day 2007, Friday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshall. The theme for the seminar will be Farm Family Health and Safety.

The Saline County Commission and the Saline County Extension Council and staff sponsored Thursday's night ceremony.

"I commend the Extension Council and the Saline County commission for putting this recognition together," said Morris Shikles, one of the night's honorees.