By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
Each year the Missouri Department of Agriculture hands out deserving awards to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the farming industry.On Friday, Dec. 16, Mindy (Spoonster) Ward of Marthasville was honored to receive the Missouri Agriculture Communicator Award during the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture.When Ward attended Warrenton High School, she was an active FFA and 4-H member. At home, Ward said her parents let her “have any animal she wanted” as long as she did the work to care for it.“We had entirely too many animals for 7 acres,” she said. “We knew nothing. People in this community could have laughed at us, but they didn’t. They helped us to learn.”As she headed off to the University of Missouri, Ward thought she wanted to set her sights on a career as a veterinarian. Her mentor and FFA adviser steered her in a different direction. Ward credits Leon Busdieker, current state FFA adviser, with guiding her toward agriculture journalism.“I came home over Christmas break, and I do what most FFA kids do. I went to tell Mr. Busdieker what I was doing and the courses I was taking,” she said. “He gave me that look and told me I really needed to change my major and check out ag journalism.”Although Ward had never heard of that career, she began to check out its possibilities. More than 20 years later, she is now the editor of Missouri Ruralist, a monthly publication reaching more than 22,000 Missouri households.“He saw what I could do for the industry,” she said. “He thought that was a better fit for me than even I knew. And I’ve been doing it for the rest of my life. Sometimes other people see your path before you do.”Her first job was working for Fleishman-Hillard in Kansas City as an assistant account executive.When Ward and her husband moved to Minnesota she wrote for the Swift County Monitor News, primarily covering the agriculture industry there. She had to learn about completely different farming industries. Crops include sugar beets, peas, cranberries, potatoes and dairy cattle.After returning to Missouri, her family began raising sheep. Daughters Elisa and Cassidy were known for their prize-winning entries. Ward was a freelance writer for several farming publications while helping to take care of her mother.She joined the staff at Missouri Ruralist as editor more than five years ago. She is also senior content director for Penton Agriculture, that owns Missouri Ruralist.Farm families receive the 50-page glossy color publication each month. Content is focused on the challenges and successes of Missouri farmers.Subjects may include how beef producers can improve their bottom line or what new technology could make a change in the livestock industry. Row crop and livestock farmers are avid readers.Ward said she often hears from her readers. She finds it a privilege to be able to visit their farms where they share the triumphs and tragedies of the industry through Missouri Ruralist.“I think that people underestimate the knowledge that our farmers have,” she said. “They are managing multimillion dollar farms. It’s amazing how much they know across the board. I wish people knew that part about them. They are managing a lot of inputs, a lot of cost and at the end of the day it can all go wrong and one storm can wipe you out.”Ward was humbled to receive the Missouri Agriculture Communicator award. She felt that the award was just pointing back to the people who steered her in the right direction — her FFA adviser, 4-H leaders and her parents.“I serve farmers and ranchers,” she said. “I tell their stories. I am able to give back to those who invested in me.”For more information on the Missouri Ruralist, visit missouriruralist.com.Mindy Ward, of Marthasville, was awarded the Agriculture Communicator of the Year by the Missouri Conservation Department at its annual conference held in December. Ward is the editor of Missouri Ruralist magazine. Cindy Gladden Photo.
