New Century Farms recognized Nov. 13 at annual celebration / County continues to lead state in Century Farm designations

Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau president, spoke to a large crowd gathered in the Division 4 courtroom at Saline County Courthouse during the Annual Century Farm Celebration held Thursday, Nov. 13. Kruse noted that the county has more recognized Century Farms than any other county in Missouri. Behind Kruse, from left, are county commissioners Richard "Dick" Hassler and Norvelle "Brownie" Brown, University of Missouri Extension Regional Director Mark Stillwell and MU Chancellor Brady Deaton. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Once again, Saline County topped all other counties in the state by recognizing 16 new Century Farms during a celebration held at Saline County Courthouse on Thursday, Nov. 13.

During the ceremony, several speakers noted that the county has the most recognized Century Farms, farms owned by the same family for 100 years or more, in the state.

In the last four out of five years, the county has also had the most new Century Farms in the state.

"It's more than a sign -- it's about a heritage," said Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau president, who spoke to the large crowd packed in the courtroom.

"It's not an accident that Saline County has the most Century Farms in the state of Missouri," he added, emphasizing the commitment to agriculture in the county.

The farms and farm owners recognized and presented signs were: Louis and Jonathan Borges, Eddy Family Farm, Thomas and Bev Fitzgerald, David and Betsy Gauldin, Guthrey Heirs/Kile Farm, Guthrey Heirs/Guthrey Farm, Hutcherson Farms, Lemmon Trust/Steve Tackett, Mary Tuckwiller Peterman, Carol and Richard Raynor, Randy Shannon/Carter Shannon/Mabel Harvey, Charles Thomason, Charles and Carol Tuckwiller (two farms), Bertha Mae Van Dyke and Kaye Wright.

During the ceremony, which was sponsored by the Saline County Commission, Farm Bureau and the Extension Council and staff, several other people and businesses were recognized.

Sweet Springs FFA officers were presented a plaque by the commission for being named Missouri's number one FFA chapter in the state during the Missouri FFA convention held last May.

While recognizing the chapter, Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner also noted that Sweet Springs was named a 3-Star national chapter during the recent National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Ind.

Extension Council Chair Mary Ann Gilpin recognized two new members of the Extension Leaders Honor Roll: Ron Duvall and David Perkins.

Cynthia Crawford, extension program director, also gave plaques to three Partners in Education, Dysart Insurance, Rob Latimer of Farm Bureau and the Marshall Rotary Club, represented by Larry Askins.

The Saline County Extension Council and Saline County Commission were also awarded a statewide "Teamwork Award" by Mark Stillwell, extension regional director.

Music by the Marshall High School Choraliers, directed by Ron Sayer, opened the ceremony, followed by greetings from University of Missouri Chancellor Dr. Brady Deaton.

Jared Singer, Saline County Farm Service Agency executive director, also spoke about the 2009 Women in Agriculture and Ag Landowners Regional Conference, set for March 13 at the new Martin Community Center in Marshall.

In the next few months, The Marshall Democrat-News will be highlighting the latest Century Farms in a weekly series of articles.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net