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Applications must be postmarked by Feb 15.

Tom Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

February 4, 2011

2 Min Read

The deadline is drawing near for Master Farmer nominations, but there is still time, even if you haven't started. The form requires answering some direct questions. Get on the phone or Internet and ask six friends, or five friends and yourself, of the nominee to write letters of support.

The nomination and as many letters as possible must be postmarked by Feb 15 to be considered. If a letter will be coming late, in a separate mailing, or even over email, please let us know at: [email protected].

"I'll do it next year- maybe my person in mind will do something even better this year."

Sometimes people don't have another year. Sometimes the clock runs out on their career. If you have someone you've always wanted to honor, now is the time.

The program is sponsored by Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine and the Purdue University College of Agriculture. Dean Jay Akridge is a true believer in the program, and has been very supportive so that we can continue to honor outstanding people in agriculture.

This year's recognition in plaque presentations will occur in conjunction with the farm management tour, tentatively slated for June 28 and 29. The presentation will be made at the evening program on June 28, with the winners forming a panel and Bruce Erickson, Purdue Extension ag economist, helping them explain how they conduct their operations.

Previous winners will be invited to attend, just as before.

The change was made for two reasons. First, it will rotate around the state as the tour rotates so that it will give past winners in various parts of the state a shorter drive to attend. Second, it gives you another reason for devoting a day or two away from the farm. The farm management tour is packed with ideas, and while well attended, could benefit far more farmers than typically attend.

This year's tour will be in the Daviess/Knox/Sullivan area, with tours tentatively scheduled on five farms, plus the evening program. The location and details for the evening program are yet to be announced. Look fro details in the near future.

While farms have not yet been announced publicly, they will provide a wide range of farm enterprises, and will feature seasoned veterans who are pros at farming and serving their communities and beyond. Look for feature articles on the hosts as the time arrives. The Master Farmers for 2011 will be featured in the July issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer.  

About the Author(s)

Tom Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

Tom Bechman is an important cog in the Farm Progress machinery. In addition to serving as editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, Tom is nationally known for his coverage of Midwest agronomy, conservation, no-till farming, farm management, farm safety, high-tech farming and personal property tax relief. His byline appears monthly in many of the 18 state and regional farm magazines published by Farm Progress.

"I consider it my responsibility and opportunity as a farm magazine editor to supply useful information that will help today's farm families survive and thrive," the veteran editor says.

Tom graduated from Whiteland (Ind.) High School, earned his B.S. in animal science and agricultural education from Purdue University in 1975 and an M.S. in dairy nutrition two years later. He first joined the magazine as a field editor in 1981 after four years as a vocational agriculture teacher.

Tom enjoys interacting with farm families, university specialists and industry leaders, gathering and sifting through loads of information available in agriculture today. "Whenever I find a new idea or a new thought that could either improve someone's life or their income, I consider it a personal challenge to discover how to present it in the most useful form, " he says.

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