Dunklin County Farm Family reflects on award, state fair experience

The 2009 Dunklin County Farm Family, front row, Aaron, Halle, and Jessica Jamerson are presented with a plaque from, back row, from left, Mark Wolfe, Director Missouri State Fair; Charles Kruse, President Missouri Farm Bureau; Ken Keesaman, Missouri State Fair Commissioner; and Samantha Wilkerson, Miss Missouri State Fair 2009. Photo provided

After being chosen as the 2009 Dunklin County Farm Family, Aaron and Jessica Jamerson, and daughter Halle, of Hornersville, Mo., attended the Missouri State Fair's "Farm Family Day" in August, being one of 108 families from 114 counties in the state to be honored.

The Hornersville family, who operate a 620-acre cotton farm and assist Jamerson's father with his farm of more than 2,000 acres, received a plaque and met with members of the organizations behind the Farm Family honor.

According to Aaron Jamerson, he and his family enjoyed the experience at the fair.

"It was a really nice time," Aaron said. "It was really interesting because we got to meet several other farmers.

"Around this area the only kind of farming you think of is cotton or corn or beans, and I talked to a lot of cattle farmers and stuff like that up there. It was just a really fun time and we really appreciated the opportunity to do it because it is a really neat experience."

Aaron's wife Jessica echoed her husband's comments.

"I just thought it was awesome," Jessica said. "The fair, the whole town, was great. We had a really good time.

"We received a plaque that said Dunklin County Farm Family and attended a dinner with different speakers. It was a good time.

"We talked with other farmers from different areas of Missouri. It was neat to get to talk to a lot of different people."

Jessica said her family has talked about going to the fair next year because they had such a good time.

The Jamerson's were chosen as the 2009 Dunklin County Farm Family by the University of Missouri Extension Council and the local Farm Bureau based on the suggested criteria set forth by the University's College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources division and its sponsors.

The fourth generation farming family are active supporters and cooperators with the University of Missouri Extension, and are actively engaged in agricultural activities and rely of the University of Missouri Extension and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources for their programming and technical assistance.

"It was an honor and a privilege to get to go and represent our county and we are very appreciative and thankful for those who nominated us," the Jamersons said.