Do you know a top farm manager -- someone with innovative ideas, business skills, sound conservation practices, agricultural leadership and community service? The Missouri Master Farmer program is taking applications for its inaugural awards. The deadline is July 1.

Missouri Ruralist, along with University of Missouri Extension, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and FCS Financial, have launched the Missouri Master Farmer Award program. Four Master Farmers will be named each year, with $1,000 prizes to each.

Organizers plan an awards banquet for the next Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, along with an educational roundtable discussion with representatives from young farmer organizations.

This is a program for all Missourians involved in agriculture – whether you are a crop farmer, livestock or poultry producer, vegetable or fruit grower, tree farmer or vineyard owner.

For an application form, click on the Missouri Master Farmer Award link on this Web site. Forms are also available at MU Extension Centers and at FCS Financial offices. Got questions? Contact Ron Plain at 573-882-0134; [email protected].