The plaques are being made. The program is being planned. It's time to get ready to name and honor four new Master Farmers for 2014.

There's only one problem – there must be nominees! That's where you come in. Only farmers, readers, and Web viewers can nominate candidates for Master Farmers. Editors can't do it, judges can't do it. It's up to you!

Now is the time while the wind howls outside and the snow blows to take the plunge. Have the conviction to nominate your neighbor, a relative, a best friend, someone you look up to to be a Master Farmer.

Member of the class: Chris Mann of Cloverdale was named a Master Farmer in 2009.

Many times someone will ask, "Why isn't that person a Master Farmer?" Often it's because they haven't been nominated. Now is your time to do something about that – nominate someone.

The nomination form is one page. It does require adding a couple extra pages to adequately describe what the nominee has done to gain your respect, and the respect of the community. You also enhance the chances of your candidate earning the award if you find six people willing to write letters of nomination to submit with the form. That's not as hard as it sounds – last year one person wrote letters for three separate nominees. People are willing to write good things if they have good people to write about!

Qualifications

Many times people asks what it takes to be a Master Farmer. There are no set qualifications – no age limits, no minimums. The judges base their decisions on the candidate's expertise in trying and mastering new methods of farming, in protecting his or her natural resources, in raising his or her family and in serving his or her local and state ag community, not necessarily in that order.

The entry form is due postmarked February 15, 2014. Send an email if you have questions, but actual nomination forms must be mailed. The email is [email protected], 317-431-8766.

Mail completed forms to: P.O. Box 247, Franklin, IN 46131.