Farm families important to community

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in all the growth and newness coming to the area.

But in all the excitement about where our community is going, it's important to remember where it began.

Southeast Missourian photographer Fred Lynch recently spent time on a Missouri Century Farm with members of the family that owns it, Jackson graduate Paige Birk and her father Steve Birk.

In 1876, Steve Birk's great-great-grandfather settled there and it's been in the family ever since, with the tradition of raising livestock being passed on down to Paige.

"I would not give this up for anything," Steve Birk said. "You can come out here and relax."

There are many family farms throughout the region, and the blue-collar work ethics of the people who run them is something that should not be taken for granted as the landscape of our community continues to transform.

Farming remains a staple here, and that will be evident at the SEMO District Fair starting this weekend.

The fair gets underway Saturday with various livestock, food and crafts competitions each day that are sure to draw many worthy contestants from the farming community.