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Applications are available for the 2022 Prairie Farmer Master Farmer award, recognizing Illinois agriculturists’ lifetime achievements.

Sierra Day, Field editor

July 14, 2021

2 Min Read
2020 Prairie Farmer Master Farmers
MASTERS: The 2020 class of Master Farmers includes Dale Hadden (left), Joe Pickrell, John and Susan Adams, and Ted Mottaz. The 2020 and 2021 classes will be recognized at the Farm Progress Show on Sept. 2. Holly Spangler

Prairie Farmer is now accepting applications for the 2022 Master Farmer award.

Do you know someone who has made an impact in Illinois agriculture? The individual may be a sibling, neighbor, friend, your parents or even yourself. Regardless, do not hesitate to complete an application and send it in prior to the Sept. 24 deadline!

Farmers can nominate themselves; many farmers submit their own names each year. Feel free to nominate or apply as an individual, a farm couple, or siblings. Nominations for couples and sibling partnerships are not uncommon. In 2016, four farm couples received the award. Siblings, Doug and Tom Block, who farm in partnership, were named Master Farmers in 2009, joining a list of names that’s grown past 350.

The 2022 application form is available online. Download it, fill it out and send it in, complete with letters of support, by Sept. 24. For more information or to have an application sent to you, email [email protected].

You will need at least eight recommendation letters to support your nomination, and the selection committee focuses on growth of the operation over time, agriculture productivity and community involvement.

The selection committee will be comprised of Illinois agricultural leaders, including experts in agronomy and agricultural finance, past Master Farmers, agricultural research or university authorities, and Prairie Farmer editorial staff.

Who’s eligible? Here’s a look:

  • Candidates must farm in Illinois, deriving the majority of their income from agricultural production.

  • Successful nominees will have proven ag production records, be recognized as leaders in their community, and will have given back to the community in substantive ways.

  • Candidates may be individuals, couples or siblings; judging is equally weighted.

  • Each nominee should be actively engaged in production agriculture.

The Master Farmer award was founded in 1925 to recognize farmers for their achievements within production agriculture and within their communities. Today, with sponsorship help from Growmark, Prairie Farmer continues to honor the work and values of Master Farmers, both on and off the farm.

Those selected for the 2022 award will receive a plaque and coverage in the March 2022 magazine, along with recognition at the annual Master Farmer awards banquet, which hopefully will return to its regularly scheduled time frame in March.

The 2020 and 2021 banquets were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and staff will instead recognize both those classes of Master Farmers on Sept. 2 at 1:30 p.m. during the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill. The public is invited to attend, and the 2021 Master Farmers will be featured in the September issue of Prairie Farmer.

About the Author(s)

Sierra Day

Field editor, Farm Progress

A 10th-generation agriculturist, Sierra Day grew up alongside the Angus cattle, corn and soybeans on her family’s operation in Cerro Gordo, Ill. Although she spent an equal amount in farm machinery as she did in the cattle barn as a child, Day developed a bigger passion for the cattle side of the things.

An active member of organizations such as 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Angus Association, she was able to show Angus cattle on the local, state and national levels while participating in contests and leadership opportunities that were presented through these programs.

As Day got older, she began to understand the importance of transitioning from a member to a mentor for other youth in the industry. Thus, her professional and career focus is centered around educating agriculture producers and youth to aid in prospering the agriculture industry.

In 2018, she received her associate degree from Lake Land College, where her time was spent as an active member in clubs such as Ag Transfer club and PAS. A December 2020 graduate of Kansas State University in Animal Sciences & Industry and Agricultural Communications & Journalism, Day was active in Block & Bridle and Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, while also serving as a communications student worker in the animal science department.

Day currently resides back home where she owns and operates Day Cattle Farm with her younger brother, Chayton. The duo strives to raise functional cattle that are show ring quality and a solid foundation for building anyone’s herd.

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