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The letters that pour into Prairie Farmer offices in support of Master Farmers always make for uplifting reading. Here’s a slice of the stories they tell.

4 Min Read
Bill Sahs, Jim Robbins, Marty Marr, Boyd Schaufelberger
RESPECTED: The 2019 Master Farmers are Bill Sahs (left), Jim Robbins, Marty Marr and Boyd Schaufelberger.

When the letters of support pour in, accompanying Master Farmer nominations from across Illinois, those letters add personal insight and touching memories about time spent with the honorees — on and off the farm. For many Master Farmers, reading the letters is a humbling and honoring experience. Here’s a look at what the family, friends, landlords, suppliers and others closest to them have to say about each member of the 2019 class of Prairie Farmer Master Farmers.

Marty Marr, Jacksonville
“Marty’s passionate commitment to the agriculture community is something that our company and community have great appreciation for. Marty is a farmer. Plain and simple as that sounds, he epitomizes the standard of devotion to the land and the environment that is crucial to sustain the U.S. family farm and rural communities.”
John Allen, Brandt

“I fully believe the work ethic and sense of teamwork is being passed on by Marty to the next generation. Zeal for agriculture, community and family, and flat-out getting the job done year in and year out, is a mark of a Master Farmer. Marty is an iconic nominee for this award!”
Thomas L. Toohill, Soy Capital Ag Services

“Marty’s infectious grin, his personality, his attitude — you can’t help but instantly like the guy. His farm and family have become a success story.”
John Werries, 2015 Master Farmer

Jim Robbins, Peotone
“On the farm, Jim has always been cutting edge, with being one of the first to try no-till. He has perfected the art of strip till in corn and has always been willing to try new technologies to be more environmentally friendly while feeding a hungry world.”
Tom Nugent, Manhattan, Ill., farmer

“I have personally and professionally known one other Master Farmer [besides Jim]. When I compare the two men, they share a lot of the same qualities. They have been community leaders. They both were way better than average farmers and paid particular attention to their records to guide them for future years. Both were meticulous record keepers. Both were strong in their faith and belief in God.”
Matthew Hickey, retired vice president, First Bank of Manhattan

“Jim is a strong voice for agriculture, never hesitating to explain and promote its importance to individuals and nonfarm groups, and is always happy and willing to do it.”
Mike Perrine, MP Ag Radio

Bill Sahs, Lincoln
“I was 15 years old when Bill returned from the Navy, and he soon became my friend and someone I looked to as an older brother. I graduated from the University of Illinois in 1985 and returned to the farm, renting my first farm a few months later. What has stuck with me all these years: Bill was the first farmer to congratulate me.”
Jeff Elsas, Lincoln, Ill., farmer

“Bill is a hard worker who works long hours to plant, care for and harvest his crops. But Bill is a person who cares and will stop what he’s doing at a moment’s notice to help a neighbor or friend who needs a hand. It is his compassion for his fellow human being that drove him to found the Habitat for Humanity chapter and to remain so involved in it today.”
Hugh Whalen, Mid-Co Commodities

“When it comes to the farmer, I’d never say anyone is the best, but Bill is always one of the top yield producers every year. He’s just a natural. He knows how to take care of different soil types and how to farm them. I have never met anyone like him, with that ability. Bill has spent his life trying to do what’s best for his community and his farm. He’s a good guy, and you want him on your team.”
Scott Noltenmeier, HG&N Hopedale Fertilizer

Boyd Schaufelberger, Greenville
“His farming operation, known as Schaufine Farms Inc., has been extremely successful, and Boyd is greatly respected by his peers. He has the tremendous ability to bring the science and the practical application together for a very successful agriculture enterprise. Boyd has bred a genetically superior herd of registered Holsteins, which are influencing many Holstein breeder herds throughout the United States and other countries.”
Dave Fischer, retired dairy educator, University of Illinois Extension

“The refreshing part about working with Schaufine Farms was Boyd’s commitment to the continuous improvements of the genetics, nutrition, production and health prevention programs. He always had a pulse on the herd.”
Jennifer Ostrom, president, Greenville Veterinary Clinic

“I had the pleasure to visit the farm several years ago and see his tremendous herd of cattle with style and strength, great udders and feet and legs. His interest in breeding great cattle is a passion he shares with his entire family.”
Gordon Cook, Hadley, Mass., dairy farmer

About the Author(s)

Holly Spangler

Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

Austin Keating

Associate Editor, Prairie Farmer

Austin Keating is the newest addition to the Farm Progress editorial team working as an associate editor for Prairie Farmer magazine. Austin was born and raised in Mattoon and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in journalism. Following graduation in 2016, he worked as a science writer and videographer for the university’s supercomputing center. In June 2018, Austin obtained a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he was the campus correspondent for Planet Forward and a Comer scholar.

Austin is passionate about distilling agricultural science as a service for readers and creating engaging content for viewers. During his time at UI, he won two best feature story awards from the student organization JAMS — Journalism Advertising and Media Students — as well as a best news story award.

Austin lives in Charleston. He can sometimes be found at his family’s restaurant the Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon in Mattoon, or on the Embarrass River kayaking. Austin is also a 3D printing and modeling hobbyist.

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