PERRYVILLE, Mo. ― John and Jennifer Fritsche and family of Perryville were among the families honored during the 66th annual Missouri Farm Family Day, Aug. 14 at the Missouri State Fair.
Front row: Farm Family Honorees: John, Halie, Lucas, Landon and Jennifer Fritsche, Perry County Farm Family. Back Row: Left to Right Dignitaries: Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Director, Christine Chinn, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Kelsey Miller, Missouri State Fair Queen, Ted E. Sheppard, Missouri State Fair Commissioner, Chad Higgins, Interim Vice Chancellor for MU Extension & Engagement, & Interim Chief Engagement Officer, UM System, Garrett Hawkins, President, Missouri Farm Bureau, Harold “Byron” Roach, Missouri State Fair Commissioner
Rob Kallenbach, MU Associate Dean of Extension & Senior Program Director of Agriculture & Environment, Nikki Cunningham, Missouri State Fair Commissioner
The Fritsche family was selected as the Perry County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Perry County and the local Farm Bureau. The family includes Lucas, Halie, and Landon.
Each year, the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state that are active in their communities, involved in agriculture, and/or participate in local outreach and extension programs such as 4-H or FFA.
The Fritsche family operates an 800-acre corn, soybeans and wheat row crop farm as well as a cow, calf to finish operation.
The annual event is sponsored by five partner agencies: the Missouri Farm Bureau; the Missouri Department of Agriculture; the Missouri State Fair Commissioners; the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and MU Extension.
The event showcases the impact that Missouri farm families have on the economy and heritage of the state, said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. “These families are involved in agriculture activities in their communities and are active participants in local outreach and extension. As the premier showcase for Missouri agriculture, the Missouri State Fair is most certainly the appropriate place to celebrate these families.”