December 19, 2014

Duncan Family Farm, Uncle Bob's Spices and Blends and Fahrmeier Family Farms and Vineyard received AgriMissouri Awards

Director of Ag Honors Outstanding Local Agribusinesses during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Duncan Family Farm of Centertown, Mo., Uncle Bob’s Spices and Blends of St. Peters, Mo., and Fahrmeier Farms and Vineyard of Lexington, Mo., received the Missouri Grown, Missouri Made and Missouri Fun AgriMissouri Awards, respectively, during the 45th Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the Taste of AgriMissouri Reception Thursday evening, Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized the awardees in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders.

“Missouri agriculture relies on the hard work and dedication of our farmers and farm families,” said Director Fordyce. “Recognizing these individuals is just one way we can draw attention to their outstanding accomplishments and show gratitude for their service to the industry, consumers and other producers.”

Duncan Family Farm, recipient of the Missouri Grown AgriMissouri Award, raises beef, pork, chicken, lamb vegetables, berries, pecans, pumpkins, eggs and row crops. Three generations of the Duncan family contribute to the day-to-day operation. Kevin and Diana Duncan, along with their two young boys, Gentry and Hayden, farm with Kevin's parents, Bob and Betty.  The family does an excellent job growing their own operation, as well as helping fellow AgriMissouri producers and 4H and FFA students. Duncan Family Farm hogs are often crowned grand champion carcasses at the Missouri State Fair and many grand champion hams have come from their hogs.

Missouri Made AgriMissouri Award recipient, Uncle Bob’s Spices and Blends, was founded by Bob Dampier. Uncle Bob’s produces a variety of spices, rubs and blends, along with an assortment of jams and jellies. All products are created to pair with meats, specifically those prepared on the grill. His products have been featured at many food shows and “best ofs”. Dampier has helped with distribution of several other AgriMissouri products and helps mentor other companies. Recently, he installed a commercial kitchen and canning equipment to allow for co-packing with other AgriMissouri members. The recipient of the Missouri Fun AgriMissouri Award is Fahrmeier Farms and Vineyard and Fahrmeier U-Pick and Produce Market. Started in 1947, Fahrmeier Farms is a multi-generational winery, produce, greenhouse, row crop, cattle operation and event space that entertains over 50,000 visitors per year. They also operate a CSA and sell at the City Market in Kansas City, connecting people with the farm and the farm to the city. In 2014, Brett and Lorin Fahrmeier opened the U-Pick and Produce Market where they offer year-round farm products, pumpkins, fruits and berries. Fahrmeier Farms is another prime example of Missouri producers who continually give back to the agriculture community and strengthen AgriMissouri.

Other awards slated to be given include Legacy Awards in Beef, Soybean, Corn, Pork, Poultry, Forestry, Dairy, Rice and Cotton, the Missouri Farm Innovation Award, the Missouri Agriculture Environmental Steward Award, Missouri Agriculture Educator of the Year and the Missouri Food Animal Veterinarian Award. These will be announced at the 2014 Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture closing banquet on Saturday, Dec. 20. The Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks will conclude Saturday evening with a special performance by country music band Sawyer Brown. The three-day event includes nationally-recognized speakers, in-depth discussions about current issues and an agriculture tradeshow. Special events during the conference include the auction to benefit youth in agriculture and the awards banquet.

For more information on the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the Department online at http://agriculture.mo.gov.

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