Nixons Named State Fair Farm Family
The Clark County Extension Council held their annual picnic on July 19 at O-Mak-O-Hak Park and honored the Kevin and Tina Nixon family as the recipient of the 2007 State Fair Farm Family Award. This family was chosen according to specific criteria that includes: farm family engaged in agriculture; active supporters and cooperators with University Extension; active in community affairs and leadership; have children involved in 4-H, FFA, or are active in other youth organizations; and respected by their neighbors and community.
The Nixon family will be entertained and recognized during a luncheon at the Missouri State Fair on Monday, August 13. The purpose of Farm Family Day is to recognize the outstanding contribution farm families make to the State of Missouri and to Missouri agriculture. University of Missouri Extension, University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Missouri State Fair and Missouri Farm Bureau jointly sponsor this event.
Kevin started farming part-time in 1979, while working in Keokuk at Sheller Globe. In 1980, he began farming full time; Kevin bought his first farm in 1982 in Revere, MO. He has spent the last twenty-seven years engaged in livestock and grain farming. Farming has changed a great deal over the years. He has gone from farming 200 acres to 2000 in his farming career. Kevin has raised hogs, cattle, and sold Pioneer seed corn in a continued effort to diversify his farming operation. Currently, he farms 2000 acres of corn and soybeans and has seventy head of cattle. Kevin enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is a member of the Clark County Fair Board.
In the early years of their marriage, Tina ran a day care center in their home. Later, she finished her degree at Culver-Stockton College in English. Throughout the years, she has helped out on the farm when she could; going for parts, chauffeuring men back and forth from the field, driving a tractor (on occasion), and cooking for everyone who helped during crop time were some of her contributions. Currently, she is teaching Communications to
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middle school students in the Keokuk Community School District. She loves reading, listening to music, and being at home.
Kevin and Tina both grew up on a farm and married in March of 1983. They have two children Matt and Amanda, who have grown up enjoying the benefits of living on a farm. Matt loves to ride his four-wheeler, as well as hunt and fish. Amanda also loves fishing. They were both active in FFA during high school. They each were members of FFA during all four years of high school and held offices three of those years. Along with their activities in FFA, Matt loved his years playing football and Amanda her years as a member of the Color Guard. Matt went to Linn Technical College for a year and graduated with a certificate as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He is employed by Emery Sapp and Sons in Columbia, MO. Amanda will be starting her college career this fall at Northwest Missouri State University. She plans to major in Sociology/Spanish.
The Clark County Extension Council felt the Nixon family was very deserving of the award because of their strong leadership and commitment to agriculture in Clark County.
Debby Whiston, Clark County Extension Specialist, recognized the Nixon family and welcomed all extension council members and their families. Those in attendance were: Bill Bonine; Steve, Pam and Justin Oilar; Marvis Trump; Trudi, Cody, Cory Baker; Steve, Becki and Ashton Krueger; Mike and Sue Scott; Dean and Dorothea Hunziker; Jerry and Teresa Miller; David, Pam and Amelia Boudreau; Harold and Marilyn Hall; Susan and Kylie Selway; Joe Thomson; C.W. Higbee; David, Michelle, Derek, Drenda, and Delanie Hess, Wesley and Barb Parrish, Lowell and Linda Gordy and Mike and Debby Whiston.
After a delicious picnic supper, members held a brief meeting to conduct council business.
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