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Released: March 02, 2007 Kansas Master Farmers, Master Farm Homemakers Named MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six couples have been named 2006 Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities. The award program dates back to 1927 and is sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Kansas Farmer magazine. The couples will be honored at a 6 p.m. banquet March 16 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Junction City. More information about the Master Farmer program or the banquet is available by calling 785-532-5820. The 2006 Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers, in alphabetical order, are:
Marion and Juanita Alpers
Marion Alpers has made farming his life’s work: He and his wife,
Juanita, are the family’s third generation farming in Stafford County.
Marion met Juanita in high school. They dated for three years before marrying in 1952 and started farming with a 320-acre crop share. The farm now includes a combination of land they own and rent, acreage varying with changes in the operation. “We started in 1952 with a dozen milking shorthorns, and, in 1955, purchased a Hereford bull and bred eight cows to start a cow-calf operation. Over the years, we also had 200 laying hens, a farrow-to-finish hog operation and a dairy with 45 Holsteins.” Farming changed, and the operation adjusted. They added windbreaks and buffer strips. They rotate crops and chemicals, use a seed monitor on planters and improved alfalfa packaging. They also computerized records and traded two-way radios for cell phones. Marion retired in 1996, but remains in farm management with son, Kevin, who joined the family business in 1974, and grandson, Tyler, who joined his father and grandfather in 2003. Kevin earned a degree in animal science at Fort Hays State University. In addition to Tyler, who earned a degree in agricultural economics at Kansas State University, Kevin and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters, Tabra and Taci. Marion and Juanita’s daughter, Janell, earned a master’s degree at K-State. She and her husband, Reuel Foote, live nearby and have two sons, Josh and Derek, and a grandson, Elijah. The family has been active in church, school, community and 4-H, including the 4-H Japanese Exchange program. Juanita is an avid reader, and volunteers with the 5th and 6th grade reading programs. After 55 years of marriage, Juanita and Marion still delight in their family and in farm life. “There is no better place to live and work,” Marion said. While Juanita shares that thought, she also is quick to point out that farm life brings a family together: “We work hard, but when it comes time to play, we play hard, too.”
Harvey and
Nancy Jo Fasse Harvey and Nancy Jo Fasse are part of an active, progressive Kansas farm family, continuing a tradition that traces back to Nancy Jo’s grandparents.
Harvey grew up in Geary County, but in 1962, the family had to relocate: “The farm now is part of the Milford Reservoir,” he said. He married Nancy Jo Hamon, from Jefferson County, while earning a degree in agricultural education at K-State. In 1966, they joined her parents and brother in a partnership that has become Hamon Seed Farms, Inc. “Our farm specializes in the production, conditioning and sales of high-quality certified seed, primarily wheat and soybeans,” Harvey said. “Keeping abreast of changes in the seed production industry is a priority, and, while developing expertise in chemical applications has added some challenges, it also has allowed us to better serve our customers.” The family corporation also has joined Lifeline Foods to market food-grade, non-GMO corn and the Livestock Marketing Association to verify their program and add value to stocker calves. Nancy Jo earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from K-State, worked as a Washington County extension agent, and became a home economist for Kansas Power and Light. When the three children were small, she worked as a substitute teacher, and has been a first-grade teacher for 20 years. She is president of the Atchison County Farm Bureau, and both she and Harvey are involved in their church, community and 4-H. The Fasses’ daughter Brenda Jo Davids, has two sons, Bryan and Brandon, and is a stepmother to her husband Donald's, daughter, Donna, and son, Simeon. Daughter Kaye Lynn Kabus and her husband, John, have three children: daughter, Caroline, and sons, Conrad and Carter. Son James is stepfather to his wife Denise’s three children: Daughters Alana and Estacia and son, Keegen. An older son, Zach, is living in New Zealand. As a Master Farm couple, Harvey and Nancy Jo join a family tradition. In 1991, Nancy Jo’s brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Jo Hamon, brought the honor to the third generation. Preceding them were their grandparents, Charles M. and Rose Hamon (1936), and their parents, John and Bertha Hamon (1975).
Shirley and
Richard Felts Shirley and Richard Felts attended schools 10 miles apart, but met while attending Coffeyville Community College. They married in 1969, just before Richard’s senior year at K-State.
Felts Farms has grown to nearly 3,000 acres – partly to feed the 4,800 hogs sold each year. Hog waste replaces crop fertilizer. And, with the farming partnership relying much more heavily on communication and technology, Richard took time to help start the Eastern Kansas Royalty Owners Association to help landowners learn about and explore markets for mineral rights. Richard and Shirley’s family grew to include four children, who took them into a 21-year stint with the Peppy Progressive 4-H Club. In addition, Richard served on the boards of Montgomery County Extension, Kansas Extension Advisory and Montgomery County Farm Bureau, and joined the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program. Shirley became postmaster of the Liberty Post Office, a position she’s held 20 years. She also served as a leader in the Liberty PTA, and both have been involved with the fire department and their church. The Felts Farms labor force includes their son Darren, who has joined the partnership, and Larry’s son-in-law, Adam Ewing, who splits his time with his own family’s farm. Daughter Cindy, her husband, Darrel DeTar, and their children, Cara and Dane, live near Coffeyville. Son Ryan and his wife, Tiffany, live in Olathe; and youngest daughter Kim works at Coffeyville Medical Center. “We’ve experienced many changes over the past 30 years,” Richard said, “but we’re still looking forward. Hey, why retire?”
Roger and Sue
Pine
When it comes to
agriculture, there isn’t much Roger and Sue Pine haven’t tried: green beans,
cattle, popcorn or agritourism. Some were learning experiences, but others have
been quite successful. Roger grew up on the land near Lawrence, earned an agronomy degree at K-State and completed Texas A&M University’s Executive Program for Ag Producers. Sue was born in Hays but met Roger in Lawrence. They settled into business with his parents. Raising the children on the farm, Sue said, helped instill in them a desire to come back. However, when Shawn and Brian expressed a desire to farm with their parents, Sue insisted that the family participate in “preventative counseling” to keep business conflicts out of family relationships. They still meet several times a year with an accountant and conflict resolution professional. Roger was named as a K-State Alumni Fellow in 2000 and was elected to the 3rd District in the state senate in 2005. He has led the National Corn Growers Association and served on the U.S. Grain Council and the USDA Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology. Locally, he was president of the District 497 board and served on the agricultural advisory board for governors Hayden and Graves, as well as the Douglas County Extension board. Sue served on the Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Committee, the Douglas County Economic Development Board, Douglas County Horizon 2020, county fair board and the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center board. Shawn and Brian are graduates of K-State – she in marketing and he in agribusiness. Shawn and her husband, Chris Bay, have two daughters, Lily and Addie – both adopted from China. Brian and his wife, Kathy, have three children: Hayden, Jordan and Carson. Since each farm partner lives elsewhere, the original farmhouse is now the family daycare center – complete with nanny quarters.
Clinton and
Bonnie Russell More than 40 years ago, Clinton and Bonnie Russell moved to Belpre, Kan., when they started farming with Clinton’s father and began their own operation. Today, the Russells grow wheat, corn and soybeans on about 4,500 acres they own or rent.
“I think the biggest challenge we’ve had to go through was switching from dryland to irrigation,” Bonnie said. “But we just have to learn to adjust to the changes. For example, since there is an increase in the demand for ethanol, at some point we may have to put more of our acres into corn production rather than soybeans.” Clinton and Bonnie have used technology to help them adjust. They bought their first computer in 1999 and a global positioning system unit in 2004. They’ve added irrigation systems with fertilizer tanks and pumps as well as a grain bin complex and dryer. Bonnie and Clinton have held church offices and served on the Edwards County Farm Bureau. He was on the co-op board, water advisory committee and served as a volunteer firefighter. She held offices in PTA, Family and Community Education board and 4-H. “My daughter and sons said being involved in 4-H and other organizations gave them better leadership and public speaking skills,” Bonnie said. Their oldest son, Craig – a member of the K-State football team from 1980-1982 – earned a degree in agriculture mechanization. He and his wife, Michele, live in Lenexa and have two children, Robyn and Drew. Daughter Diane earned her accounting degree from K-State in 1984. She and her husband, Ken Winter, live in Dodge City and have three children: Luke, Adam and Ashton. Youngest son Ryan works in partnership with his father on the family farm. He and his wife, Julie, have three children: Brigdon, Jenna and Maycee.
Ernest and
Barbara Schlatter Ernest and Barbara Schlatter grew up together in Lebanon, Kan., but didn’t become an “item” until she was ready to attend Brown Mackie College. Ernest had already earned a Future Farmers of America (FFA) American Farmer Degree, bought his first 80 acres of land, and joined the Kansas National Guard. Barbara worked at the extension office in Smith County before they married in 1964.
Ernie served 30 years on the board of the Smith County Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service). He was the first in the county to install terraces with tile drainage systems. The project helped earn a 1983 Kansas Bankers Association Award. He joined growers associations and served on the Kansas Wheat Commission and Midway Co-op boards. He volunteered to plant so many test plots that he earned an Extension Appreciation Award. He was first in the area to try Roundup Ready soybeans and corn, and one of a few who tried white wheat. Along with serving as the farm’s computer operator, Barbara became a 4-H leader who is now helping with her granddaughter’s projects. She joined Oak Creek Valley Extension Homemaker Unit 25 years ago and became a leader for master sewing, tailoring and cake decorating classes. She and Ernie both served on the Smith County Extension Council board and are active leaders at Oak Creek Christian Church and at American Legion Post 185. Ernie recently helped organize the Smith Center FFA Alumni, served as president and funded its first scholarship. Their son Walter and his wife, Kim, live in Higginsville, Mo., and have three children – twins Clinton and Dustin, and Dylan. Daughter Sheila and her husband, Dwayne Lorence, live in Lebanon with their daughter, Ashley. -30- 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: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha is at 785-532-1164 or Sue Robinson is at 785-532-5820 |
When
they returned to Liberty in 1972, Richard’s dad loaned them space to raise 110
newly purchased gilts. Within two years, Richard’s brother Larry graduated from
K-State and they formed a partnership. By 1976, the Felts brothers bought the
operation’s first land and equipment. Their low-key business arrangement still
works three decades later, and their bottom-line approach helps position the
business for change. In 2001, they abandoned their farrowing facilities, sold
the breeding sows and started buying and feeding out early-weaned pigs.
Clinton,
originally from Trousdale, met Bonnie in 1958, soon after he graduated from a
diesel technician course at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University). They
were married in 1959 and inherited the family farm in 1960. 
By
the 1980s, they had two children, a thriving farrow-to-finish hog operation and
were farming about 2,000 acres of owned and rented land. Farm updates include
computerizing records on the 190 calves they buy each spring and feed through
Labor Day. Their data include thousands of acres’ input and yield records. Ernie
developed a system to test, improve and monitor fertility by the plot, and his
combine measures yield and moisture content.