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Logan
County farmer on list
as Illinois' finest
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Prairie
Farmer names 2005 Master Farmers
[MARCH 22, 2005]
DECATUR -- A Logan
County farmer, Richard Martin of Lincoln, was one of four Illinois
farmers selected as 2005 Master Farmers by Prairie Farmer magazine.
They were honored at a ceremony on March 16 in Springfield for
outstanding community service and farming abilities. Selected along
with Martin were Rollo Burnett of Metropolis, Massac County; Doug
Miller of Indianola, Vermilion County; and Russell Rosenboorn of
Clifton, Iroquois County.
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Judges for the awards
were Robert Easter, dean of the University of Illinois College of
Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; Gary Minish, dean
of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale College of
Agricultural Sciences; Gary Schnitkey, farm management specialist at
the University of Illinois; and Cherry Brieser Stout, editor of
Prairie Farmer.
Candidates are
nominated by farmers, agribusiness leaders and agricultural
extension specialists from throughout the state.
Prairie Farmer first
offered the award in 1925, when former editor Clifford Gregory
established it as a way to recognize Illinois farmers for something
more than just farming skills. The award was discontinued in 1937
but revived in 1968. Since then, 207 Illinois farmers have been
honored with the title of Master Farmer.
Stout says Prairie
Farmer continues to present the awards annually because of the
important contribution farmers make to Illinois agriculture and
their local communities.
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"Agriculture needs to
honor the people who make a positive impact on this industry," she
says. "The farmers we've honored over the years represent a gallery
of the greatest in Illinois agriculture. They're top farmers who go
beyond the call of duty when it comes to community service, family
commitment and leadership."
Stout says many Master
Farmers serve in high-profile state and national farm leadership
positions. But the vast majority solidly serve their communities --
building churches, chairing local committees or organizing harvest
for a stricken neighbor. "That is exactly the kind of
behind-the-scenes service this award was initially designed to
honor," she says.
Prairie Farmer is
published 12 times a year for Illinois farm families. Established in
1841, it is the oldest continuously published farm periodical in the
United States.
Nomination forms for
the 2006 Master Farmer awards are available at
www.prairiefarmer.com or
by writing to Master Farmer, c/o Prairie Farmer, 1301 East Mound
Road, Decatur, IL 62526.
[News release] |
