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Indiana Master Farmers named
Indiana Prairie Farmer has named the 2010 class of Indiana Master Farmers. Indiana Prairie Farmer Editor Tom Bechman tells Brownfield this year’s class shares leadership skills and very different farming operations.
“Everything from one inventing a hog feeder, to people that have 1,000 acres of vegetables, actually a couple of people involved in really laying the groundwork for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, plus one of the outstanding wildlife, natural resource promoters, farmer in the state,” said Bechman. “It’s a well rounded, talented group when you put them all together.”
AUDIO: Tom Bechman, editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer (2:45 MP3)
This year’s Master Farmers include Ray McCormick of Knox County, Mike Shuter of Madison County, Keith Berry of Putnam County and David and Mary Howell of Henry County, Tom Bauman, weed scientist at Purdue University was named Honorary Master Farmer.
Ray McCormick of Vincennes, Indiana has a diverse operation that includes, no-till corn and soybeans and peaches. Ray does wetlands work and has been interested in migratory bird habitat, in the winter the McCormick’s operate a water fowl hunting business. In addition to the farm, Ray has been active in conservation and has been able to tie those activities back to the Knox County farm. Ray lives on the farm his great-grandfather started.
AUDIO: Ray McCormick, Vincennces (4:05 MP3)
Mike Shuter of Madison County farms 3000 acres and has a both cattle and hogs. They added hogs when Mike’s sons were getting out of college. His father and grandfather started raising purebred Red Poll cattle back in the 1940’s. Mike has been active in both the state and national corn grower’s organizations, currently 
serving as chairman of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council.
AUDIO: Mike Shuter, Frankton (5:00 MP3)
Keith Berry of Putnam County farms with his son Brian, they operate a farm started by Keith’s father. Today’s farm includes 1300 acres and 135 sow, farrow to finish hog operation. Keith feels fortunate to have the opportunity to farm with Brian, he describes it, “as one of the bright spots.” Outside the farm, Keith has been active in the pork producers, serving in 1996 as President of the Indiana Pork Producers and then in 2004, Keith served as President of the National Pork Producers Council.
AUDIO: Keith Berry, Greencastle (6:10 MP3)
David and Mary Howell started farming in 1971, raising corn, soybeans and hogs. Today there aren’t any hogs but there are vegetables, tomatoes and pumpkins. Three of the 4 Howell children are involved in the farm. Mary says each family member has a distinct responsibility in the operation. Their oldest son, Aaron runs the farming operation in Brazil, which Mary describes as the evolution of farming. Mary is a registered nurse and had planned on being a Missionary, but then David came along. David and Mary believe that their family has an even better opportunity farming that they did when it all began. Both are humbled being named an Indiana Master Farmer, and Mary says she appreciates being called a “farmer.”
AUDIO: David and Mary Howell, Middletown (9:40 MP3)
The 2010 Honorary Master Farmer is Tom Bauman whose career spanned a number of years in 
weed science at Purdue University. Over the years, Tom has seen a number of changes take place from the use of pounds of product being used to ounces. When Tom was getting started it was just the beginning of biotechnology and he believes there are still plenty of opportunities for those interested in weeds.
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