Max Armstrong discusses the recognition of farmers through Master Farmer programs. Max discusses the Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service award given to Paul Lasley, a rural sociologist. His work has helped improved understanding of the social effects of the farm lifestyle, and that work continues in new ways today. Through the 1980s Lasley surveyed farmers every six months to learn what farmers are going through, it’s an annual survey today and the topics covered have grown. Max shares more about the impact of that work, including informing churches of the growing need for community support.

Max Armstrong's Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Max Armstrong, veteran farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.

Photo: Iowa State University