SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Student speakers at the 2019 “Salute to Century and Family Farms” event held Sept. 30 at the Round Barn Event Center near Ash Grove provided inspiration for the 130 people in attendance.
Participants at this University of Missouri Extension event also helped to raise $522 for the Greene County 4-H program.
“At this event we got to honor one new Century Farm and five historically important county farms that were first recognized as Century Farms back in 1976,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with MU Extension.” Attendees told us the food was great and they love that we honor these family farms, but the student members provided inspiration for the night.”
CHARLES GOODNIGHT
Charles Goodnight, a fourth grader at Sweeny Elementary in Republic, titled his speech, “The Story of Our Family Farm.” He highlighted the work that takes place on his family’s cattle farm with this grandfather, father and himself. But, as Charles said, “there was a problem.”
“I wanted to farm with technology, I wanted to use computerized DNA testing and robotics. But my grandpa didn’t want to use technology. Instead, he wanted to walk around to observe the cattle and use his experience to determine if there were problems,” said Charles.
Charles noted that his grandpa had learned the old ways from his father, and that his grandpa said that knowledge had never failed him.
“My dad said we were both right that we could improve and work safer with technology but we also need my grandpas 76 years of experience to help us. That is what we do now. My grandpa teaches me what he knows and my dad and I use technology so we can work faster and have better information for decisions on our cattle.”
Charles is a member of the Lucky 11 4-H club and an avid basketball player and pianist. He has given oral demonstrations at the local, regional, and state levels for 4-H.
MICAH O’MALLEY
Micah O’Malley is a 19 year old freshman at OTC pursuing a degree in animal science. She has grown up involved with agriculture, shown livestock at 4-H events and done public speaking about issues in agriculture through FFA.
Her speech was titled, “The Family Farm I Envision.” She began by noting that when you say “family farm,” many people imagine a red barn with rolling green fields as far as the eye can see, and animals living in peace and harmony.
“That is definitely not what I envision. I envision the early mornings, late nights and sweat, blood and tears put in to the farm that generates food for our world. Farming is a difficult profession and at times, a difficult profession to hold on to,” said Micah.
Micah went on to explain the importance of getting younger generations interested in farming in order to preserve this American tradition.
“Family farms must be willing to let the younger generation step in and make their mark on the farm. By giving the youth a chance to contribute to the future of their family business you are not only giving them a more personal stake in it but you are marking them feel like that have a stake in the future of that farm,” said Micah.
KOLBY HOSP
Kolby Hosp titled his speech, “City Raised, Farm Inspired.” Kolby is the Second Vice President in the FFA Chapter at Republic High School. After high school, he plans on attending Missouri State University to become an agriculture education teacher.
Kolby considers himself a “city kid” although his parents were raised on a farm. However, he has gotten his experience on the school farm at Republic. From helping to build fence and hanging gates for the school’s growing cattle herd, to learning about crops when the students planted wheat and soybeans and hay around the baseball fields.
“Being actively involved in this agriculture program has given me, a born and raised city folk, a passion for farming,” said Kolby. “I have a dream of owning my own cattle someday and teaching my children about raising cattle.”
MAKENNA JOHNSON
MaKenna Johnson, the daughter of Eric and Angie Johnson and a senior at Ash Grove, titled her speech “Remember Your Farmer Every Season.” She serves as Vice President of the Ash Grove FFA and obviously has a love for farming. No matter the season.
“Mother Nature and her weather conditions are something no one can control, yet something farmers must adapt to day by day. Weather hardships like subzero temperatures, flooded pastures and drought conditions impact the farm in ways consumers never consider,” said Johnson.
She gave several examples of how each can impact the farm based on research, news reports and her own personal experiences.
“The next time you are stuck inside because of extreme weather conditions, enjoying those groceries you picked up just in time, remember the farmer that worked behind the scenes in whatever weather came their way in order to provide for you because no matter the condition, a farmer never gets a day off.”
Videos of the four student speeches can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/muextension417.
— David Burton, University of Missouri Extension
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