Joey and Jessica Woods and family of Fair Grove were among the families honored during the 61st annual Farm Family Day, Aug. 12 at the Missouri State Fair.
The Wood family was selected as the Greene County Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Greene County and Greene County Farm Bureau. The family includes daughter's Julie and Brigid.
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.
Joey and Jessica Wood, along with their daughters Brigid and Julie, operate a small farm. Their daughters are very involved in 4-H, raising rabbits and showing dogs. The family also raises pigs for food and show, a few sheep for future shows, and a large garden for a food supply.
"My husband has been a part of 4-H for more than 25 years and I have been for 20 years," said Jessica. "My husband and I both grew up in Greene County raising cattle and bailing hay as kids and at 15 we meet each other in 4-H and have been together and farming ever since."
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 and Engagement.
This year, all 114 Missouri counties plus the City of St. Louis participated, honoring nearly 500 people from the 115 farm families.
The event showcases the impact 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."
(Photo- Greene County Farm Family 2019 in front row (Left to right) Joey, Brigid, Julie, and Jessica Wood of Fair Grove. Back Row: Left to Right Dignitaries: Marshall Stewart, Vice Chancellor for MU Extension & Engagement, & Chief Engagement Officer, UM System; Blake Hurst, President, Missouri Farm Bureau; Nikki Cunningham, Missouri State Fair Commissioner; Christopher Daubert, VC and Dean, MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Christine Chinn, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture; Ted E. Sheppard, Missouri State Fair Commissioner; (Seated) Lowell Mohler, Missouri State Fair Commissioner. MU Extension photo)
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