Released: March 07, 2006

Russell County Couple Honored

RUSSELL, Kan. – A willingness to give back to the community has offered some unexpected blessings for one longtime Russell, Kan. resident.

Morris Krug volunteered to serve as Bob Dole’s driver in his first senatorial campaign, and was active in each of Dole’s subsequent campaigns. He had plenty to do as a young farmer, but also volunteered to teach Sunday School. It was there, as he picked up attendance cards each week, that he got better acquainted with Barbara Fortney, also a volunteer teacher.

The couple married a year later and continue to remain active in their church and community. This year, they also are being honored as one of six 2005 Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in the state.

The award honors agricultural leadership, environmental stewardship and community service and is sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Kansas Farmer Magazine. The awards will be presented at a banquet March 24 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Junction City.

The couple farms in Russell and Thomas counties, with hard red winter wheat (about 2,300 acres) the primary crop. Their diversified farm includes about 900 acres of grain sorghum, a cow-calf operation with about 130 head and a small, certified seed business.

Morris Krug grew up on the farm that he still manages. He left the farm to earn a degree in agriculture at Fort Hays State University in 1958. He minored in botany and industrial arts and said that his longtime interest in plants and grasses complements the cattle business.

He also describes himself as a “self-styled engineer” and said that industrial arts classes have worked well with his chosen career in agri-business.

“An efficient shop is key to successful farm management,” said Morris, whose shop design and system have been featured in Farm Journal Magazine.

After college, Morris served in the United States Army Reserves before returning to Russell to farm with his father, Albert W. Krug and his brother, Robert.

He and his brother, Robert, bought the farm operations from their father in 1964 and operated under the name of A.W. Krug and Sons. In 1980, they set up a corporation.

“The corporation is unusual in that it owns the cattle and equipment, but not the land, which is rented,” said Krug, who farmed with his brother for 39 years before buying him out in 2003 when he retired. In 2005, the name was changed to Krug Farms, Inc. to reflect the change in ownership.

Morris credits his father for fostering environmental consciousness and stewardship of the land. In the 1950s, his father began building terraces, waterways, and stock water ponds. In the 1960s, he adopted stubble mulch practices, and, in the 1980s, limited tilling. In the 1990s, the Krugs began using chemical fallow.

“We are concerned about water quality and take steps to protect the environment through proper chemical application, minimal fertilizer use and animal waste control,” Morris said.

“We want to leave the land as good – or better – than when we acquired it.”

The Krugs use no-till or minimum till on crop ground and summer fallow extensively.

They began using computerized spray control in 1978 and have added satellite guidance systems.

“Technology is key to farm management,” said Morris, who reports that the couple began using two-way radios in the early ‘70s. With the aid of Barbara’s business background, the family computerized their farm records more than 15 years ago. Their farm shop/service center is updated continuously to speed maintenance and service for efficient farm management.

As their farm has grown, the Krugs have developed a farm management team. Morris serves as general manager and works with a certified crop consultant, machinery and crop production manager and a livestock and rangeland manager. Barbara helps keep the books.

The management team meets each morning to consider the work planned.

The couple trimmed their cattle operation during recent drought years, but has since rebuilt their herd with the help of their son-in-law, Thomas Krauss.

“Tom earned degrees in range management and history at K-State, but is a Hereford man,” said Morris, who previously specialized in Angus. “We’re working together just fine.”

The Krugs typically use sire selection and artificial insemination (AI), and sell breeding age heifers and bulls as yearlings.

Brad Baral, who has worked for the Krugs for 24 years, continues to grow in the role of machinery and crop production management, Morris said.

The couple also make crop ground available for test plots for K-State’s Ag Research Center and a local cooperative.

“Agricultural research is ongoing and we’re happy to be part of it,” Morris said.

When asked what he considers the biggest challenges facing agricultural producers today, Morris said: “Making a profit. In today’s world, not even size can guarantee profitability.

“The high cost of equipment, fertilizer and fuel affect the bottom line, but low commodity prices are keeping young people from going into the business. We know how to produce, and we have the technology … but close margins don’t allow us to move forward.”

The Krugs raised two daughters. The eldest, Andrea, earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and agricultural economics and a master’s degree in business with an emphasis on agribusiness from K-State. During her college years, she typically returned to work on the farm, and, in 2003, with her husband, Thomas Krauss, and their daughter, Katherine, Andrea moved back to the home place. She works as controller for an oil production company and is secretary- treasurer of its board. Thomas is the livestock and rangeland manager for Krug Farms.

Daughter Anita earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics at K-State and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science and a law degree at Harvard. She is a securities lawyer in San Francisco, specializing in private investment funds and investment adviser regulation.

The Krugs recognized their girls’ wide interests at early ages and nurtured them. Each has been a 4-H member and active in activities that range from basketball to student council, piano lessons to home economics judging and human rights.

The couple is still active in the church in which they became acquainted and would seem perennial volunteers. Morris has, for example, served on the Rural Water District #2 Board since 1970; the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Board for nearly 25 years; and on the Kansas Grain Inspection Commission from 1988-1991.

Barbara has served as a 4-H leader in both food and community projects, as a longtime superintendent of the Wheat Showcase at the Russell County Free Fair and as area chairman for Kansas’ Festival of Breads Contest. She has helped with costuming at the Russell Community Theatre and was active in a community fund raising drive to open a local clothing store.

The Krugs have been involved in each of Bob Dole’s campaigns. When President Ford visited Russell, Kan., to announce his selection of Dole as his vice presidential running mate, the couple was among those who took their grill to the courthouse lawn to prepare hot dogs for the large gathering. They said they were honored to grill the hot dogs that were served to the President.

The couple credits their faith as the foundation for their life together.

“With farming, an early freeze or drought can damage crops, but faith in God – and ourselves – has given us the will to carry on and expect better times,” Morris said.

Friends who would like to attend the Master Farmer, Master Farm Homemaker banquet can call 785-532-5820 by March 10 more information and reservations.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News