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High Plains Journal’s annual Agriculture Cares issue recognizes those who go above and beyond to improve their community, their country and their world. This year Ag Cares honors people who have made a difference through 4-H or FFA: Justin Schmutz; Southwestern Heights FFA; Donna Maskus; Gen…
- By Lacey Newlin
Gene, Vernon and Richard McKown did what few people do—they identified a problem in their city and rather than talking about how it needs to change, they went to work changing it themselves.
- By Kylene Scott
It’s not often a high school student goes out of its way to help those in its community. But the 27 members of the Southwestern Heights FFA chapter strive to go above and beyond.
- By Jennifer M. Latzke
For a Kansas resident, the average cost to attend a public university is $17,000 to $18,000. For a four-year bachelor’s degree, a family in Kansas could be looking at a price tag of $68,000 to $72,000 per child for tuition, books and living expenses.
- By Larry Dreiling
In the 1960s, American science fiction was introduced to a half-human/half-alien who had green blood.
- By Dave Bergmeier
Harry Stine is a busy CEO directing Adel, Iowa-based Stine Seed to soybean and corn growers with a name they can trust.
- By Shauna Rumbaugh
Magnanimous. Dedicated. Passionate. Pillars of the community. These are a sampling of phrases High Plains Journal readers used to describe nominees for our annual Agriculture Cares issue.
- By Doug Rich
Richard Porter, Reading, Kansas, has been described as frugal. He’s also been described as a philanthropist. Those two attributes don’t always match up, but they fit perfectly into Porter’s philosophy for business and his philosophy for life.
- By Larry Dreiling
“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.”
- By Kylene Scott
Minnesotan Rodney Beer knew exactly two people near the wildfires that decimated Clark County, Kansas March 6. Something pushed him to help people he didn’t even know.
- By Dave Bergmeier
Public service is a calling not suited to everyone. Mel Thompson, however, embraces the principle.
- By Jennifer M. Latzke
We at High Plains Journal received quite a few nominations for our Ag Cares honors regarding the Starbuck Wildfires and members of the community of Ashland, Kansas. There were so many good people doing good deeds for their neighbors, as you would expect from any small rural town of just 807 people.
- By Jennifer Carrico
He really doesn’t like the attention, but after Alec Gotto led his steer J.D. into the ring at the National Junior Angus Show in Des Moines, Iowa, in July, the attention came his way.
2016 Ag Cares finalists
- By Dave Bergmeier
This fall High Plains Journal asked readers to submit nominations for people and projects worthy of recognition for our Dec. 26 Agriculture Cares issue.
- By Jennifer Carrico
Commitment to agriculture education doesn’t mean you have to be an agricultural teacher, but sometimes it helps you understand how people think.
- By Dave Bergmeier
In Wright, Kansas, families raise their children to do the right things.
- By Jennifer Carrico
It might seem that two farm kids who have loved agriculture their entire lives would want to stay involved in production agriculture in one way or another. In a way, that’s just what Jamison and Jordan Reed are doing.
- By Jennifer M. Latzke
If you talk to J.D. Ragland very long, you’ll quickly realize that in his eyes, every “kiddo” has potential for great things.
- By Jayce Winters
It all started with a vision, sitting on the porch, visiting. Snack Pak 4 Kids Director Dyron Howell and his friend, local farmer David Cleavinger, brainstormed as they so often did about new ways to serve their friends and neighbors as well as provide anyone with a desire to give back the o…
- By Holly Martin
Whether you like to admit it or not, farmers and ranchers have some of the biggest hearts I know. When a neighbor is in need, they help. When the weakest want, they protect. When the helpless need, they give.