(Columbia, Mo) – Missouri Farmers Care, the statewide coalition of agriculture groups formed to promote modern agriculture, food production and farm life, presented six historic awards at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention Saturday, Jan. 6. The Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame recipients are: Congressman Jason Smith, Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, Sen. Brian Munzlinger, Rep. Bill Rieboldt and Forrest Lucas, founder of Protect the Harvest.

The inaugural class of the Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame was inducted during the evening banquet held in Columbia, Mo. The distinction was bestowed on key leaders who dedicated time, talent and resources to craft and promote Amendment 1, the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment. Passed in 2014, state agriculture groups united under Missouri Farmers Care to endorse the constitutional amendment that protects farmers from harmful, misleading, and unnecessary legislation driven by out-of-state activist groups.

“This honor pays tribute and presents a measure of Missouri agriculture’s gratitude to these five outstanding individuals for their lasting contribution to freedom and prosperity of Missouri agriculture now and in generations to come,” said Alan Wessler, D.V.M, chairman of Missouri Farmers Care.

Matt and Kate Lambert of Uptown Farms near Laclede, Mo., were also recognized as the 2017 Leopold Conservation Award Program recipients. The Leopold Conservation Award is a national program that recognizes voluntary conservation efforts taking place on working lands. Presented for the first time in Missouri, the award showcases the actions of the state’s farmers and ranchers to help create clean air, clean water and abundant wildlife for Missourians to enjoy.

“Matt and Kate are building on generations of stewardship and innovation by adopting practices to enhance their care of the land while improving productivity and telling their story to consumers,” said Dr. Alan Wessler. “Aldo Leopold, for whom the award is named, is quoted as saying, ‘The landscape of any farm is the owner’s portrait of himself.’ Matt and Kate are creating a masterpiece.”

A video highlighting the technology and innovations the Lamberts use to produce food while enhancing the environment was unveiled during their award presentation.

Missouri Farmers Care and the Sand County Foundation have been joined by the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Department of Conservation, MFA, Inc., the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-Missouri and the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program to bring this prestigious award to Missouri.

Photo Caption: Missouri Cattlemens Association Executive Vice President Mike Deering joins inaugural Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame recipients: Congressman Jason Smith, Lt. Governor Mike Parson, Mr. Forrest Lucas, Representative Bill Rieboldt and Missouri Farmers Care Chairman Dr. Alan Wessler at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention Jan. 6, 2018. Photo Credit: Andy Atzenweiler

Photo Caption: Members of the Lambert family: Steve and Diane Lambert, Luke Lambert, Kate and Matt and sons Meyer and Mace Lambert, and Mildred and Paul Lambert gather as Matt and Kate Lambert of Uptown Farms are recognized as the 2017 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award recipients at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention in Columbia on Jan. 6, 2018. Photo Credit: Andy Atzenweiler

 

Inaugural Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame recipient, Lt. Governor Mike Parson. Photo Credit: Andy Atzenweiler

 

Inaugural Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame recipient, Mr. Forrest Lucas. Photo Credit: Andy Atzenweiler

 

Inaugural Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame recipient, Congressman Jason Smith. Photo Credit: Andy Atzenweiler

 

About Missouri Farmers Care
Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of over 45 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy. Learn more at www.MOFarmersCare.com.