Wallaces Farmer

The 2009 Master Farmer class will be announced March 4.

Holly Spangler, Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer

February 25, 2009

2 Min Read

We’ve spent much of the past few months preparing for next week. That’s when we’ll unveil the 2009 Prairie Farmer Master Farmers, both in the March issue and at a March 4 banquet in Springfield.

 

It’s been a labor of love, as it always is. For 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting Master Farmers, visiting their farms and meeting their families. We shoot pictures and shoot the breeze. And as honored as they are to be selected and recognized for their life’s work, I’ve been equally honored to count them as friends. Through the course of interviewing a Master Farmer, I’ve had the chance to learn so much – the kind of stuff I can bring back to our farm and to our family. We’ve gotten tips on passing the farm to the next generation, on depreciation, on grain storage and perhaps most importantly, on raising our farm family. Of all the Master Farmers I’ve met over the years, not a one has said he wished he spent more time away from home. These are folks who’ve learned to couple the many demands of the farm with long lists of community service groups, and then to balance it all with their family – and always put family first. It’s not an easy feat, but it’s one worth learning.

 

Next week will be a homecoming of sorts. A fun day of visiting, catching up and renewing old friendships. And a chance to recognize five more families who’ve done it all and done it right. If you don’t have your March issue by March 4, check back here on our website, where we’ll announce the new class. You won’t want to miss this one.

 

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About the Author(s)

Holly Spangler

Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

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