Kirchners Named Clark County’s 2009 State Fair Farm Family

Kirchners Named Clark County’s 2009 State Fair Farm Family

The Clark County Extension Council held their annual picnic on July 16 at O-Mak-O-Hak Park and honored the Kent and Rhonda Kirchner family as the recipient of the 2009 Clark County 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;  have children involved in 4-H, or FFA; and respected by their neighbors and community.
The Kirchner family will be entertained and recognized during a dinner at the Missouri State Fair on Monday, August 17.  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.
The Kirchner Family was chosen by the Clark County Extension Council to represent them at the State Fair.  Kent is a full-time farmer and also manages a family cattle operation.  He is a member of the Clark County Extension Council and has been involved in 4-H with his children for over 25 years.  Rhonda works at Wiss and Wiss Equipment and has been active in 4-H for over 25 years.  The Kirchner’s have raised 4 children; Aaron, Alyson, Alanna and Anna on the same farm Kent was raised on.  Anna will be a junior this fall at Clark County High School.  She serves as Vice-President of the Junior Livestock Committee and has been actively involved in 4-H for over 5 years as a member of the Fox River Clover’s 4-H Club.  She shows Boer meat goats and numerous art hall projects.  Aaron, Alyson and Alanna were active in 4-H during their middle and teenage years with the Antioch 4-H Club where they showed beef and participated in many 4-H projects.  
According to Whiston, “the Kirchner family epitomizes the farm family ideals and characteristics set forth for this recognition.”  The Clark County Extension Council felt the Kirchner family was very deserving of the award because of their strong leadership and commitment to agriculture in Clark County.    
Debby Whiston, Clark County Extension Program Director recognized Kent, Rhonda, Anna and Alanna Kirchner and welcomed all extension council members and their families. Those attending the picnic were Kevin and Paula Fox, Paul and Patty Phillips, Marilyn and Harold Hall, Linda Plenge, Mike and Michael Scott, Esther and Gary Justice, Steve Yates and granddaughter, Joe and Susan Thomson and grandchildren, Mike and Debby Whiston, Linda and Lowell Gordy, and Mandy and Tristen Shores.  
After a delicious picnic supper, members held a brief meeting to conduct council business. “University of Missouri Extension Programs Are Open To All”