The Missouri Master Farmer Award program is calling for nominations and applications for its 2010-2011 class. Only two weeks remain to get your nominations in before the Aug. 2 deadline. Four winners will be selected and will earn $1,000 cash prizes and industry-wide recognition.

Coordinators of the award program are Missouri Ruralist magazine and University of Missouri Extension, with support from gold sponsor FCS Financial.

The Master Farmer Award program is created for all Missourians involved in agriculture – crop farmers, livestock producers, dairy producers, vegetable and fruit growers, tree farmers and vineyard owners. The judging committee is looking for the best managers with innovative ideas, sound business skills, financial recordkeeping, soil and water conservation practices, agricultural leadership, and community service.

Master Farmer candidates should also be willing to mentor young farmers. The long-range goal is to build a Master Farmer-young farmer mentoring program that will build connections and create new opportunities to keep the next generation engaged in agriculture.

The Master Farmer Award is the nation's longest running agriculture award program. States with established award programs include Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, and now Missouri.

FYI

The nomination deadline is Aug. 2, 2010. An application is available in pdf or Word doc format on this website. Web links and nomination forms also are available at MU Extension Centers and at FCS Financial offices throughout the state.

Send applications to:

Missouri Master Farmer

220 Mumford Hall

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

Award recipients will be notified in late August.

If you have questions about the process, contact Ron Plain at 573-882-0134; [email protected]

or

Jerilyn Johnson, Missouri Ruralist editor, at 816-586-5555;

[email protected]