The Steve and Eva Christ family of Hillsboro was among 110 families recently honored during the Missouri State Fair’s Farm Family Day.
The Jefferson County Extension Council and the local Farm Bureau had named the Christs the Jefferson County Missouri State Fair Farm Family and then the family was recognized on Aug. 11, as part of the fair, which was held in Sedalia.
Each year, the fair recognizes farm families from across the state “who are active in their community, involved in agriculture and participate in local University of Missouri Extension programs,” the extension reported in an Oct. 10 written statement.
The Christs have approximately 450 acres, which they call Sandy View Acres Farm, on which they raises cattle, soybeans, wheat, corn, hay and vegetables.
“Besides marketing the crops traditionally, the Christs also direct market many of their crops,” the extension reported. “They direct market beef with their own farm label and also operate a CSA (community supported agriculture) with their vegetables. A CSA is where customers pay for their vegetables at the beginning of the growing season and then receive their share of vegetable harvest each week during the growing season.”
In addition, the Christs sell beef and vegetables at the De Soto Farmers Market, which typically is open every Saturday from early May through late October.
The Farm Family Day is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri State Fair, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and the University of Missouri Extension.
