It’s a good thing Maynard and Jeanice Cress had no say in the matter. Because the self-effacing couple are the last to think they deserve to be recognized for what they consider as just part of life’s work.
Even so, the Cresses were the stars of Thursday night’s Allen County Farm Bureau annual banquet as their neighbors and friends rose to their feet as the Cresses came forward to receive the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Cresses have raised cattle and crops for the past 56 years in rural Humboldt. Maynard’s first vehicle was a tractor, not a pickup, so he could farm land rented from a neighbor.
Jeanice served 40 years as the home economics Extension agent for Allen County.
Between the two, they have served on multiple boards including 4-H, the Humboldt Methodist Church, the Kansas Livestock Association and the Allen County Fair.
OTHERS recognized Thursday night were:
l Joe Works received the 2016 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award for his efforts to promote not only agriculture but also civic engagement.
l The 2016 Farm Family of the Year Award went to Steve Strickler for his Strickler Holstein Farm and Strickler Dairy, managed by Harry Clubine. The dairy began in 1939 under Steve’s dad, Ivan Strickler.
l Dick Works was recognized as Farm Bureau’s 2015 Friend of Agriculture. Works, rural Humboldt, grows primarily beans and corn and is a former county commissioner. He has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Allen County Republican Central Committee.
l Anita Barnett accepted the 2016 Natural Resources Award for the work she and her husband, the late Harold Barnett, did in their longtime farming operation. Across their 1,200 acres the Barnetts were good stewards of the land, demonstrating innovative agricultural production and resource conservation. In addition to livestock, the Barnetts had wheat, corn, soybeans and hay. The Barnetts rotated their crops, implemented crop residue management, built windbreaks and terraced their land.
l Area 2016 high school graduates Tanner Orth, Mackenzie Tynon and Morgan Wilson also were recognized for their involvement with agriculture. The students received $100 Allen County Farm Bureau scholarships for this upcoming school year.
MORE THAN 100 attended Thursday’s 97th Annual Meeting at the Iola High School commons.
John Schlageck, writer and editor of Kansas Farm Bureau publications, addressed members and their families before a dinner.
Debbie Bearden, ACFB coordinator, organized the night’s events.
