MANHATTAN — Craig and Denise Mentzer, rural Neosho Falls, were honored as a Farm Family of the Year by Kansas Farm Bureau. The Mentzers received the award during Kansas Farm Bureau’s 99th annual meeting on Dec. 3 in Manhattan.
The Mentzers operate a 1,200-acre farm of corn and soybeans, along with running a small cow/calf Black Angus cattle operation. The couple have four children. Their son, Nathan, and his wife, Heather, and children have returned to the farm and are renting acres of their own to farm.
Craig and Denise are the third generation of Mentzers to farm in Allen County. Craig’s grandfather, Leslie and his wife, Vesta, came this way during the Depression in 1929. His parents are Bill and Marjorie Mentzer.
Denise currently serves on the Allen County Farm Bureau board. Craig’s also served on the local Farm Bureau board. Additionally, the two received the Kansas Farm Bureau National Resource Award in 2013. Today, Craig serves on the National Resource and Conservation Service board and was president from 2005-2015.
Craig is a 1976 graduate of Iola High School; Denise, 1977.
While Denise substitute teaches in Iola schools, her main job is with Craig on the farm.
“She’s the farm secretary,” Craig said in story in 2016 when they were named Farm Marshals for Farm-City Days.
Ten families are selected each year for the Farm Family of the Year award. The award recognizes families for their service and leadership in agriculture, Farm Bureau and their communities.
PHOTO: Craig and Denise Mentzer were recognized as one of Kansas Farm Bureau’s 10 Kansas Farm Families of 2017. COURTESY PHOTO
