10 more Century Farms honored in Saline County

Saline County continued its legacy of the county with the most Century Farms, 131, in Missouri, when ten more farms were honored on Thursday, Nov. 12, for being owned by the same family for over 100 years.

Missouri State Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler was the keynote speaker for the 2009 Century Farm Recognition and Celebration held in the Saline County courthouse rotunda.

"There is no place I would rather be tonight than here in Saline County again to pay special tribute to those farm families for what you have done and what you do or what your parents and grandparents have done for 100 years," he said. "You have made a difference in not only in your family, but in your community."

He spoke bout the importance of farms and farm families to Missouri.

"You see when agriculture does well, the state does well," he said. "Our communities thrive when our farm families do well. I say it everywhere I go, whether I'm speaking in St. Louis, rural Missouri or Kansas City. I say invest in your farm families, because your farm families will turn around and put every cent they've earned back into the farm, into their communities."

He also noted that 100 years ago, farmland in Saline County sold for $75, above the then state average of $40 an acre.

New Century Farm recipients were honored with certificates and plaques. They were the families of the W.A. Snoddy farm; Buck family farm; Page family farm; Townsend Brothers farms; Guthrey heirs; John and Maria Hemme; Klinge family farm; Experiment Farm -- Betty Smith Maxwell; G.N. Jackson farm and Sylvester family farm.

During the ceremony, hosted by the University Extension Council and staff, Saline County Commission and Saline County Farm Bureau, the County Commission Award was presented to KMMO Radio for their commitment to agriculture.

The Extension Leader's Honor Roll award was presented to Delmar Croka for his longtime commitment to 4-H and Saline County shooting sports and Marcia Gorrell.

Selected for 2009 Extension Partners in Education award were W.B. Young Company, FCS Financial; Mid Missouri Energy and Missouri Valley Community Action Agency for Financial Education.

The 2009 State Fair Farm Family of Phil and Kim Vogel and sons was also recognized.

Mary Ann Gilpin, chairman of the extension council also honored office manager Linda Rimmer for her service, with the Extension Office Manager Award.

The Slater High School Chorus, directed by Nancy Thompson provided music for the evening and Jared Singer, Saline County Farm Service Agency Executive Director invited women and landowners to the 2010 Women in Agriculture conference set for March 12 at the Martin Community Center in Marshall.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net

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