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Oregon farmer named Farm Mom of the Year

 Shelly Boshart Davis had never heard of the America’s Farm Mom of the Year Contest until recently.  Last month she got the call that she was the Northwest Regional Winner and one of five women recognized nationally by American Agri-Women and Monsanto.

She says her local United Way nominated her in secret for her dedication to her family, farm and community.  “I think it’s really fantastic that people outside of the agriculture community did that.”

Boshart Davis is a sixth generation farmer who works alongside her parents growing grass seed, wheat, radishes, hazelnuts and baled grass straw in Albany, Oregon, on the west side of the state.

“It’s not a job, it’s just part of who I am.”  She says,  “I actually moved away for about a year, and Oregon and the farm just drew me back.”

Boshart Davis tells Bownfield she’s the farmer in her family.  Her husband Geoff runs his family’s business in town and their three children are learning about farming from their mom.  She says the kids love working with her on the farm.

She says, “It’s really easy.”  Boshart Davis tells Bownfield her kids are twelve, nine and seven, “My oldest Kindell will actually probably be on a tractor this summer.”

Boshart Davis says her advice to other farm moms is something she’s learned from her mom.   “Everything that you grow, that we grow that we do, you can tell that you‘re most important crop is your kids.”

The winner of America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest receives $10,000 from Monsanto.  Boshart Davis says she and her husband have been saving to buy their own land and this will be very helpful to expanding the farm.

AUDIO: Interview with Shelly Boshart Davis (8:02 mp3):