John and Susan Adams of Atlanta, Ill., earned the 2020 Prairie Farmer Master Farmer award as a team. The duo, plus six other Master Farmers, were recognized for their accomplishments at the Farm Progress Show on Sept. 2nd.
The couple met while attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and moved back to John’s family farm in 1972. While Susan grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, she also has roots in farming, and continues to own 87 acres of family ground in Gallatin County, Ill.
“My dad and I had a small farrow-to-finish hog operation,” John says. “And then Susan jumped right in. My dad kind of backed away from it. She was in charge of the breeding and other things.” He adds that Susan worked as a teacher during her first year residing in Atlanta before increasing her involvement in the farm.
Today, they raise 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans. When they aren’t in the field, the couple regularly volunteers statewide and in their local area. John and Susan were nominated for the Master Farmer award by IL Corn.
John and Susan, as well as the other 2020 Master Farmers, were unable to be recognized at the annual Master Farmer awards luncheon due to the pandemic. Therefore, a combined 2020 and 2021 awards program emceed by ag broadcaster Max Armstrong was held during the Farm Progress Show.
To learn more about what makes John and Susan exceptional farmers, read their story. Also, be sure to watch their video below:
About the Author
You May Also Like