Outstanding young farmer

Outstanding young farmer

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Following in his parents footsteps in several ways, Ben Sauers not only operates the farm his mom and dad started in 1981 along with his sister, wife and brother in law…” started as dairy and 91, they put out a contract chicken house then so they were chicken and dairy. 2001, we decided we need to do something else. So we started the creamery, which was their first on farm processing plant since the 80s. On the farm side, we farm 3000 acres. We milk 550 cows. We have 130 beef cows, 18,000 laying hens. And all that is to support the creamery.”

But Ben joined his parents last year as honourees within an organization recognizing promising young farmers. In 1987, Ben's folks were among the class of outstanding young farmers.” I was outstanding young farmer kid, I got to travel all over the country and met all these people that come back every year.” Referring to the ranks of state and national outstanding young farmers recognized by the parent organization Outstanding Young Farmers since 1955. Ben joined those ranks when he was selected as one of the national outstanding young farmers for 2019.

“And it's just a fantastic honor, not only because my parents want it and they mean so much to me that all these people I've met all these years, I look up to them.”

Part of the recognition stems from the Sauers family and their willingness to try new things. Ben currently grows crops and livestock with an emphasis on non GMO.

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