2014 Winners of the Indiana Agriculture Achievement Award
Matt and Kristen Schafer of LaPorte County won this year’s Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award for their persistence in growing their diversified farm and educating the public about agriculture.
Schafer grew up in the farm life, and though he attended college to keep his options open, he returned to his father’s and uncle’s farm, where he’s worked as a full-time employee since 2001. Eventually, he was able to buy his own stake in the operation, which he plans to grow with his family. The Schafers raise corn, soybeans, wheat and specialty crops, including seed corn, waxy corn, cucumbers, green beans, alfalfa and hay. He also works with beef cattle.
Kristen Schafer, a high school earth and physical science teacher, wasn’t involved with agriculture before meeting Matt, but she has embraced the lifestyle and now manages the farm’s website, schaferfarmsin.com, and its social media efforts. “In a way, I’m educating the lay person about ag life,” she told The Hoosier Farmer. “Since I was raised in the suburbs, I think it may be easier for me to explain to them what agriculture is all about.”
Learn more about this year’s young farmer award winners at thehoosierfarmer.org.
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