September 17-19

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Deadline for registration is August 11th.

2007 Farm Family of the Year

Ron and Elsie Voelker live on their family farm that was purchased from the Railroad by Ron’s great-grandfather William Voelker in 1866; they own and operate a  farm of  about 800 acres in Mason, IL. A unique thing about their farming operation is that the acres are all adjoining.    They grow corn, soybeans, and wheat. They also have a few acres in hay for their beef cows and feeder calves.

They have two daughters; Lisa Hill who lives with her husband Doug and sons Logan and Nathan just a quarter mile down the road.   Tammy Myers and husband Terry live in Maine with son Tyler.  Granddaughter Tiffany Myers will be attending Coe College in Iowa this fall;  and grandson Thomas Myers is in the United States Marines stationed in Washington state.  Another daughter Lori was killed in an automobile accident at age 17.

Ron and Elsie work together during planting season and harvesting;  Grandson Logan, age 13, has the responsibility of taking care of the cattle during their busy season and all summer.  In the winter Ron takes over this chore as he says it gives him ‘something to do’!  Logan also helps work ground in the spring.

Elsie says her favorite part of the fall harvest is filling up the wire corn crib and seeing those beautiful yellow ears in it;   Ron grinds this ear corn for his cattle operation.  Very few farmers still harvest ear corn.

Ron and Elsie have been involved in community service work all their lives.  Ron has been a 4-H leader for 49 years, teaching tractor and lawn mower safety in Effingham county.  Elsie has been a 4-H leader for 35 years; this year her club has 63 members. The club

focus’ a great deal on community service work;  they clean up the grandstand after four rodeo sessions, sell poppies for the VFW, give out cheese samples at a local supermarket during Dairy Month, plant flowers at local business places,  and make favors for area nursing homes, just to name a few.  Ron and Elsie, along with 3 other couples, helped managed the 4-H Barbecue and the Dairy Bar at the Effingham County Fair for 8 years.  These are annual fund-raisers for the Effingham County 4-H program.  The couple has given a Memorial Scholarship for the past 15 years at the county 4-H Achievement Night .   Ron served on the Effingham County Extension Council and Building Association for 20 years, having been president for many years;  he was on the Altamont School Board for 16 years, and served as president for 12 years,  served on the ASCS Advisory Board, and the Equity Advisory Board. They gave a $1000 Memorial Scholarship to an Altamont High School Senior for ten years.  Ron and Elsie served on the Southwestern Electric Advisory Committee for several years.   Ron is currently serving his second term on the Effingham County Agriculture Committee;  is on the Bishop Mutual Insurance Board of Directors, and has been chairman of St. Paul Lutheran Church congregation in Altamont the past six years.  Ron helped organize the Cemetery Trust for St. Paul congregation.  He was also AAL Chairman for many years.

Elsie has served on the Effingham County Home Extension Board for 14 years, was on the West Township Board for 16 years, a Sunday School teacher for 20 years, was an AAL Recorder, and is now a Thrivent Coordinator for their church.  She helps sew quilts at church, works at Blood Drives, and helps with the church garden.  Ron and Elsie have worked at many community benefits and are presently helping with a Habitat for Humanity house being built in their community. They have both received many awards and plaques for their outstanding community service.

The couple enjoys spending time with their children and grandchildren.  Ron has taught several of his grandsons some of his talents in woodworking.  The past four years Logan has taken woodworking  as a project in 4-H so the two of them are spending some quality time together.  Ron surprises his children and grandchildren each Christmas with some handmade wooden treasures. Grandson Thomas has also made several nice pieces of furniture.

Elsie spends some of her free time working in her flower and vegetable garden and she also enjoys decorating cakes for birthdays,  anniversaries, and weddings.

We are very proud to have the Voelkers as our 2007 Farm Family of the year. So if you get a chance please come out to the State fair on Ag Day and see them representing us.