You heard about Discussion Meet Winner Brad Bray's adventures in Atlanta. Now meet the family who is the winner of the
Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award!
Justin & Stephanie Oaks are from Sullivan County in District 2. They live on a small farm near the town of Harris with 2 sons, Grant age 5, and 7 month old Kaden. The family owns 70 acres and lease another 230 on which they raise row crops, hay, cattle, and hogs. They rotate corn and soybeans on row crop acres, and have a commercial cow calf operation marketing yearling calves. With a purebred and commercial farrow to finish hog operation, they sell purebred show pigs and breeding stock, and market commercial hogs for a substantial premium to Niman Ranch, a natural meat company.
In addition to the farming operation, Stephanie is the Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor at Newtown-Harris R-3 School, and Justin is a sales representative for Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed. In addition, Justin farms with Stephanie's parents on their 2,000 acre row crop operation, 125 head commercial cow herd, and custom grazing 100 cow calf pairs from spring through fall. Justin also does the bookkeeping and accounting for their operation.
The couple have been very involved in their community, which was a great asset in attaining the YF&R Achievement Award, including their services on the MO State YF&R Committee, Sullivan County Farm Bureau Board, Sullivan County Fair Board, North Central MO Regional Water Commission, and a wide variety of professional and business organizations. Justin and Stephani are very proud to have represented their community, county, and MO Farm Bureau as this year's Achievement Award winners. And we are proud to have them represent us.
