PARKESBURG, PA — Donald Cairns of Parkesburg, Chester County, who grows 1,600 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat, has been named a 2022 Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer.
The Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Award is America’s longest-running and most prestigious agricultural honors program. It sprouted in 1927 as part of a Master Farmers of America program to foster stewardship and leadership. At that point, the program was initiated by Pennsylvania Farmer magazine and the USDA.
Today, the award is co-sponsored by American Agriculturist magazine and by Cooperative Extension programs in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia. AgChoice Farm Credit, MidAtlantic Farm Credit and FS/Growmark are supportive partners.
Each of the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers named is from Pennsylvania and also includes:
- Jeff and Sue Frey of Willow Street, Lancaster County, who grow 900 acres of field crops, several greenhouses of cut flowers and raise contract finishing hogs for Country View Family Farms, and
- Arthur King of Valencia, Butler County, who raises 137 acres of fruits and vegetables, and runs a farm market just outside Pittsburgh.
This year’s winners were nominated by individuals and ag organizations. Their applications were viewed and scored by a three-judge panel in February and March, and final selections were made in late March.
They will be honored in person at this year’s Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Banquet on July 15 at Hotel Rock Lititz in Lititz, PA.
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