Soybean Farmers Of The Year
Kris and Meredith Baker, Sherrill, Arkansas, has been named the 2023 Soybean Farmers of the Year at the 26th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference, Southern Precision Ag Conference, Southern Soybean & Corn Conference, and the Delta States Irrigation Conference.
One of their farms, the M H Pipkin Family Farm, is a Century Farm. Meredith’s family bought the farm and started farming it over 100 years ago. The farm was established in 1909 and is now owned by Meredith and Kris. The Bakers farm 2300 acres of soybeans and 1900 acres of corn.
The Bakers understand the importance of overall soil health. They utilize cover crops, minimal tillage and proper drainage to minimize erosion and deterioration of water sources. What separates this truly family farming operation is the hands on active role each of them assume. Kris and Meredith both operate the most advanced technology agricultural equipment. Their innovation and success is rivaled only by their kindness and respect for the people they deal with.
They are both extremely hardworking and passionate about farming the right way. Kris and Meredith farm with integrity and pride. They are a shining example of a true partnership in agriculture and life. They are so deserving of this award and they have earned this recognition with their hard work, innovating farming practices and their high attention to detail.
They are always a step ahead instead of a step behind.
The Bakers use cover crops on some of their fields. They plant on stale seed beds. They furrow irrigated all of the fields. If weather cooperates, all of their soybean acres are planted using an early soybean production system. They rotate soybeans with corn or rice. They harvest at higher moisture and use grain bins for drying corn and soybeans.
The Bakers were Farm Family of the year in 2009 for Jefferson County Arkansas, a Farm Bureau program. Meredith is active in Farm Bureau. ∆