Kirkpatrick foresees farming in his future

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:47

Matthew Kirkpatrick’s plan is to work in agri-business for three years before coming home to farm. This year’s Young Conser­va­tion Farmer Award winner for the Marion County Natural Resources and Conservation Services District seems to be able to stand the world on its head.

Matthew Kirkpatrick is beginning his farming career from a different perspective than many of his predecessors.

He is 23, and is months away from finishing his degree in production agronomy at Kansas State University.

Yet, he is still working for Monsanto in Manhattan during the school year, planning to work for Pioneer Seeds at Garden City during the summer before returning home to Marion County to farm with his father, Duane, permanently—if he carries through on plans to work in agri-business for only three years.

Add to this the fact that he has...

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Cady sees value in developing land for wildlife and hunting

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:46

Jerry and Enid Cady are developing two 80-acre areas in Dickinson County for the enjoyment of their children and grandchildren. Jerry Cady of Marion was chosen this year as Marion County’s Grass Buffer Award winner for the Banker Award program of the Natural Resources and Conser­7vation Services.

Cady, who perhaps is better known as a Farmers Union insurance agent in Marion, is focused on developing his land for wildlife and hunting.

The 80 acres that prompted the award adjoins another 80 acres on which Cady also is installing conservation practices. He said both plots actually are in Dickinson County, two miles south of Herington Lake, but are allowed to be administered through Marion County since he is a resident here.

Cady is credited with including Conservation Reserve Program filter strips, CRP field borders, shrub plantings and food plots. He is...

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Youth illustrate theme: ‘Soil to Spoon’

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:34

Sheryl Beeman, Centre, first place

 



Sheryl Beeman of Centre won first place for her poster entry in the fourth- through sixth-grade division being recognized Saturday at the annual Marion County Conservation District annual meeting. Russell Funk, board treasurer, said the district office received 135 entries: 35 from Centre, 39 from?Hillsboro and 61 from Goessel. First place in the second- and third-grade division went to Jessica Saunders, who was unable to attend the banquet. Her poster was titled, “Why Don’t We All Recycle?



 

Maddy Daniels, Hillsboro, third place

 

 



Maddy Daniels of Hillsboro was the third-place winner in the fourth- through sixth-grade division for her poster related to the theme...

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Owner-operator connection has stood the test of time

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 21 February 2012 16:33

Dale and Jean Anderson’s relationship with the family of their operator, Kim Koop, goes back two generations. John “Dale” Anderson and wife Jean of Canton share a long tradition on their land farmed by Kim Koop of Hillsboro.

The Andersons are 2012 Banker Award winners for soil conservation with the Marion County Natural Resources Conservation Service District.

Koop somewhat shares the honor as farm operator, dating back through decades in that relationship with the Andersons begun by Koop’s father, Bennie.

The land is something drivers on U.S. Highway 56 see all the time just past the water tower west of Hillsboro. But Koop said the 154.5 acres of cropland—situated in the northeast quarter of the section west of the tower running along the highway—with brome grass waterways— may not stand out to passersby.

Anderson said...

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