MANHATTAN, Kan. — A McPherson County farm couple is one of six that will be honored during this year’s Kansas State Fair as the 2020 class of Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities.
Ellis and Rita Yoder were named for the honor by the K-State Research and Extension Service.
The agricultural roots of the Ellis and Rita Yoder family run deep on their farm. The Yoder farmstead has been in the family for more than 120 years. Like their parents and grandparents before them, Ellis and Rita strongly value their local community, their faith and their family.
Ellis regularly attends the No-Till on the Plains and Soil Health U conferences to expand his knowledge of sustainable agriculture. “I have sat next to attendees who traveled from the other side of the world just to hear how to implement sustainable farming methods,” he said. “I’ve got no excuse not to travel 60 miles.”
The farm’s efforts won them the Bankers Award for Soil Conservation in 1986. Yoder Farms also participates in global outreach with Growing Hope Globally – a Christian service organization that assists small farmers in developing countries practice sustainable agriculture.
The annual awards banquet will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. A reception is planned for 3:30 p.m. in the 4-H Encampment Building, followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the adjacent Dillon Hall.
The statewide awards program is in its 94th year and is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer magazine.
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