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Stanton Farmily Farms honored with Missouri Ag Stewardship award

Missouri Farmers Care has presented Stanton Family Farms with the Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award for their careful and responsible management of the land, natural resources, and animals.

Executive Director Ashley McCarty says farmers, ranchers, and organizations work together to manage natural resources for future generations, and the Stanton family leads by example.

Andrew Stanton says the farm is focused on stewardship and legacy, and they implement principles to enhance production and protect the soil and water.  Grain grown by Stanton Farms provides feed year-round for the Stanton Brothers’ flock of 7,200 chickens that produce 500 dozen eggs daily. Manure from the chicken barn is applied across pastures and crop fields, recycling nutrients that grow lush pastures for beef cattle and grain to feed the chickens. This natural fertilizer is applied with the same strict standards that the Stantons use for their other inputs. 

Scott Edwards, Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist, says the family has embraced the conservation ethic across their diverse farming operation and has worked to reduce erosion, maintain soil health, and limit downstream impacts in the watershed.

Stanton Family Farms was honored during this week’s 2024 Missouri Farm Bureau annual meeting.