Lawrence County father and son team named Master Farmers

NEW GALILEE, Pa. — A father and son team in Lawrence County, Pa., has been named Master Farmers.

James and Rob Yost received the news in January and April 2 they received the honor in Harrisburg, Pa. The 1,800-acre cash grain corn and soybean farm is a partnership between the duo.

Application

multi-page application last fall. The application detailed how they expanded the operation to what it is today and what they are doing to spread the spirit of agriculture, including a story from 2010 that the Farm and Dairy wrote about the operation.

The Yosts have tried different revenue markers: hogs, cattle and crops. Their land base grew by acquiring farms as they became available, and they centered their attention on no-till corn and soybeans.

The team had to detail in their application how they succeed, including their choices to purchase seed fertilizer, machinery and other inputs in advance of when they are needed. In addition, they contract grain for year-round marketing and delivery. They also have almost 250,000 bushels of on-farm grain storage.

The honor

“It’s hard enough to be a farmer, let alone a Master Farmer! It’s an honor that we only read about for years, so we are excited to receive the honor,” said Jim Yost.

Son Rob said they are proud of the honor.

“Less than 1 percent are named Master Farmers and we are thankful for the honors. We think of it as the GQ magazine for farmers,” Rob said as he laughed.

Besides, their farm work, Jim served as a director of the Lawrence Soil Conservation District and was a past director of the county extension board. He was also a borough supervisor.

Rob has served on the conservation district board and as auditor for his church.

Master Farmers Association

The Master Farmers Association is an organization whose main purpose is to promote and advance the agricultural industry in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Master Farmers comprise only 0.9 percent of all farmers in the mid-Atlantic region.

All five of this year’s winners are from Pennsylvania. They include Andrew Kimmel, Shelocta, Pa., Armstrong County; Steven Reinford, Mifflintown, Pa., Juniata County; Robert Shenot, Wexford, Pa., Allegheny County; and David, John and Ben Wenk, Aspers, Pa., Adams County.