Couples honored as Master Farmer/Homemaker

On Friday, March 22nd, six couples were honored as the 2023 Class of Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship, and service to their communities. The annual awards banquet was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.

The statewide awards program is in its 97th year and is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer Magazine.

This year’s honorees are Douglas and Stacey Keas, Rooks County; Tim and Robyn Raile, Cheyenne County (Sunflower Extension District); Conrad and Donna Trost, Republic County (River Valley Extension District); Andrea and Hugo DeJesus, Riley County; Ken and Patricia Stielow, Russell County (Midway Extension District); and Kenton and Deb, Michael and Ladonne Weltmer, Smith County (Post Rock Extension District).

The Keas’ summary reads as follows: The Keas family has lived in the Plainville area since Douglas’ great-great-grandfather settled there in 1878. Douglas and Stacy farm wheat, sorghum, feed, soybeans, and corn and have a cow/calf operation.

With a diverse skill set, Doug Keas spent time on a wheat custom cutting crew, a purebred and commercial hog farm, and managed a large sow operation before returning to the farm with his father and uncle. Later, Doug added milo, sunflowers, corn, and soybeans, growing the cow/ calf operation to 275 head.

Implementing a no-till practice as soon as it was introduced, Doug’s goal is to conserve water and replenish the soil. With an array of equipment and machinery, Doug also does custom planting and harvesting in the area.

Doug won the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest Central Kansas Division in 2014 and 2016. His willingness to try new practices has given his operation a reputation for success and encouraged surrounding farmers to do the same.

The Keas believe in supporting local businesses and serving their community through the Rooks County Free Fair Board, 4-H, and church. Doug lives by the value that you follow through and finish when you commit to something.

Doug and Stacey have been hosts for multiple exchange students from around the world and hosted international students interested in learning about American agriculture through the International Foreign Youth Exchange.

Doug and Stacey have three children: their son Seth and his wife, Catherine, who have three children, Dawson, Audra, and Brenden; their son Jared; and their daughter Amy and her husband, Jesse, who have one daughter, Oakleigh.

The Phillips-Rooks District Extension selected the Keas for this honor. After all the nominees complete the required paperwork, a committee from Kansas State University chooses the honorees.