One of the first people Keith Berry will likely introduce and thank for his success when he speaks at the Master Farmer banquet tomorrow will be his son, Brian. That's just the kind of person Keith Berry is.

He believes his son deserves recognition as well for two reasons. First, he is his partner in the farming operation, including in the swine operation. Second, and perhaps just as important, Brian is the reason Keith could travel and attend so many functions for the pork industry. Berry has served as both president of the Indiana Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Producers Council.

While he is indebted to Brian, he also feels it was a way to bring Brian deeper I not the management and daily decision-making on the farm. Keith firmly believes in giving the new generation responsibility, not just bringing them back as a hired hand. That's certainly not the case in the Berry operation.

Keith and Brian have been very involved on various projects through the years. Working together, they invented a special type of hog feeder for finishing barns. They even patented it and sold it to a company who produces and sells it. It's called the INTAK feeder, and when installed, makes feeding more efficient, the Berry's note.

Family is also important to Brian. His children are reaching the age where they are involved in FFA. They attend South Putnam Schools. His oldest son recently won the Natural Resources demonstration at the state FFA convention- an amazing feat for a freshman.

Congratulations again to Keith Berry and his entire family fro inclusion into the family of Master Farmers!  

Berry was nominated by a fellow board member on the CO-Alliance Board, Jim Lankford, Martinsville. Lankford was named Master Farmer in 2008.