Eric and Sarah Kopmann and family, of Marthasville, were among the families honored during the 60th Annual Missouri Farm Family Day, Aug. 13, at the Missouri State Fair.The Kopmann family was selected as the Warren County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Warren County and the local Farm Bureau. The family includes children Luke, Sadie, Cara, and Callie Kopmann. The Kopmann family operates a 900-acre row crop and cow calf operation.Each year, the Fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state who are active in their communities, involved in agriculture and/or who participate in local outreach and extension programs such as 4-H or FFA. In the urban areas we recognize greenhouse operations, mum pumpkin farms that are a part of Ag Tourism, and Urban gardening that offsets food deserts.The annual event is a partnership of Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri State Fair and Commissioners, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and University of Missouri Extension and Engagement.All 114 of Missouri’s counties nominated families this year, plus the city of St. Louis, with nearly 500 family members being honored from across the state.The event showcases the impact Missouri farm families have on the economy and heritage of our state. “These families are involved in agriculture activities in their communities, and are active participants in local outreach and extension,” said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. “As the showcase for Missouri agriculture, the Missouri State Fair is most certainly the appropriate place to celebrate these families.”

The Kopmann family was named the 2018 Warren County Farm Family. The family is pictured in the front row. They are surrounded by, from left, Marshall Stewart, Vice Chancellor for MU Extension and Engagement; Blake Hurst, President of Missouri Farm Bureau; State Fair Queen 2018 Samantha Nelson, State Fair Commissioners, Nikki Whitehead and Ted Sheppard; Christine Chin, Director of Missouri Dept. of Agriculture; and Christopher Daubert, Dean of MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Submitted photo