Four Illinois farm couples will be honored today at the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer awards ceremony in East Peoria, Illinois.

The honorees include: 

Mark and Karen DeDecker, Henry County. The Cambridge farmers raise corn and soybeans on 2,000 acres with their son, Lance, and finish 30,000 hogs in a feeder-to-finish operation. They’ve been active in the Illinois Pork Producers Association and in Henry County SWCD and FSA boards, and are parents to three adult children.

MASTERS: The 2016 Master Farmers from left to right are Mark and Karen DeDecker; Bill and Brenda Raben; Julie and Ron Lawfer; and Reggie and Norma Jean Dowell.

Reggie and Norma Jean Dowell, Menard County. The Greenview farmers raise corn, soybeans and seed beans on 5,380 acres, farming with their son David. Once active in the hog business, they’re currently retrofitting a hog barn to finish cattle. They been active in local school, SWCD, and fair boards, and in their local Methodist church. The Dowells have four children.

Ron and Julie Lawfer, Jo Daviess County. The Kent dairy farmers milk 180 cows and raise 180 young dairy stock, and farm 450 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. The Lawfers welcome more than 500 visitors to their farm every year and are active in the local Farm Bureau and school board. The Lawfers have three adult children.

Bill and Brenda Raben, Gallatin County. The Ridgway farmers farm 2,400 acres of corn and soybeans in southeastern Illinois, farming in conjunction with Bill’s brother, Jim. They’ve been active in the Illinois Soybean Association and in St. Kateri Catholic Church, which they helped rebuild after it was destroyed by a tornado. They are parents to three adult children.

If a person’s friends are their greatest reflection, the 2016 Master Farmers are rich indeed. Take a look at what some of their closest friends, associates and colleagues had to say about each of this year’s class.

Read on to check out more information about each of these farm families starting with the DeDeckers.

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Mark and Karen DeDecker

“They have done a great job of soil stewardship and will guarantee that they can pass on all their wisdom and passion to the next generation.” – Doug Parrott, president, State Bank of Toulon

“Mark and Karen have impacted the school district in Cambridge in multiple ways; as a family, in a leadership capacity, and finally in a financial capacity. I can’t think of another area farmer in Henry County who has done more for the benefit of this school district.” – Tom Akers, superintendent, Cambridge Schools.

“Mark has always been willing to go the extra mile to help the district in any way he can. My wife and I have spent many enjoyable evenings at local and state events with Mark and his wife, Karen. They are a joy to be around and will do anything that is asked of them to make any meeting a better event.” – Jerry Snodgrass, chairman, Henry County Soil Water Conservation District

“Mark and Karen have been strong supporters of local fund raisers such as the Cambridge Fireman’s Ball, Cambridge Youth Baseball, and cancer benefits through donations to hog roasts to raise funds. Mark is an outstanding member of our Cambridge community.” – Hal Clark, Michlig Grain

Next up: Reggie and Norma Jean Dowell

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Reggie and Norma Jean Dowell

“With a passion for agriculture and a will to succeed, Reggie has progressed from the employee of a corn sheller to the owner of a successful family farming operation. Along the way, he and Brenda have never failed to devote time to family, church and community.” –Louie Leinberger, nominator

“Working with Reggie makes my job a lot easier and more enjoyable.” –Thomas Peters, Farmer National Company

“Reggie is not only an excellent farmer and businessman, he has character and intellect. He sets a good example for others to follow, and is an asset to the community. He is a community leader and no matter what he’d do in life, he would be successful.” –Dale Ingram, Athens

“An example of the caring and compassion the family shows for others comes via their daughter, Stacy. When she was immersed in her medical training in Champaign, she connected with a single parent mother. Stacy asked Norma Jean, ‘Can we help and adopt the mom and her family for Christmas?’ This was the start of a relationship between the Dowell family and this woman and her young family. The Dowells helped with clothing for the family, plot rent for a community garden, and travel funds for this woman as she became self-sufficient. The Dowell Family’s financial support and mentoring made a difference in this woman’s life.” –Walter Lynn, CPA

Learn more about Ron and Julie Lawfer next.

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Ron and Julie Lawfer

“Important to me and my profession, Ron and Julie provide the ultimate high quality of care for their animals attending to their day to day wellness and then, when needed, attend to any illness any one of them would incur. I cannot imagine more deserving recipients.” – Russ Weston, DVM, Lena Veterinary Clinic

“The idea of Ron being a devoted family man is evident with the success and positive attitude of his children, and the firm loving relationship with his wife, Julie Ann.” – George Kepner, nominator

“Ron and his wife Julie are an excellent example of the family farm as they have incorporated the next generation into the operation. They are taking their dairy operation into the next generation by upgrading with state of the art technology.” – Nick Tranel

“Ron and Julie have been advocates for agriculture for many years and continue to impress me with their dedication to educate the non-ag population. For more than 20 years, Ron and Julie have hosted field trips to their farm reach as many as 500 children and adults each year.”  - Annette McLane, manager, Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau.

We wrap up with a look at the Bill and Brenda Raben operation.

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Bill and Brenda Raben

“Leadership is a word that is thrown around very loosely at times. It takes a person with the ability to lead by example and to not be content with the present but look for the future, to be a true leader. Bill is a great example of what a Master Farmer should represent.”  –Todd Neibel, Wabash Valley Service Company

“As a leader on the board of the Illinois Soybean Association, Bill’s skills at creating consensus and keeping everyone engaged in any discussions were excellent.”  –Ron Moore, Roseville

“During all of the public service, Bill and Brenda have managed to successfully raise a family and participate in an outstanding family farm operation in deep southern Illinois.” -Don Guinnip, Marshall

“Bill and Brenda were instrumental in starting our first After-Prom, raising more than $10,000 each year. They coordinated teams, coaches, activities and prizes. They provided students with pizza and drinks, and breakfast back at the school. It gave students a great safe, fun evening and memories that would last a lifetime.” –Lucinda Schmitt, Gallatin County School District superintendent