News
Missouri livestock farmer nationally recognized
Missouri swine and cattle producer Everett Forkner is being inducted into the Saddle & Sirloin Club. The Saddle and Sirloin Club recognizes leaders in the livestock industry and accepts one nominee per year.
Forkner tells Brownfield the highlight of his time in the livestock industry has been developing the next generation of ag leaders.
“I think more than anything else, my satisfaction comes from the impact that I’ve had the ability to be a part of in youth in agriculture and developing leadership skills within that select group of young people that have taken on the challenge to be the leaders of the next generation.”
Forkner currently farms with two of his sons and one of his grandsons in Vernon county.
Through the award, Forkner has started the Everett & Ruby Forkner Livestock Judging Fund to support the livestock judging program at the University of Missouri. The fund has the goal of raising $250,000 and has already passed $100,000. Forkner was a member of MU’s judging team during his time at the University in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Forkner, an over 50-year livestock and crop farmer, said being part of a livestock judging team prepares youth to be leaders because it teaches them to make a decision and defend that decision.
The executive director of the Missouri Pork Association, Don Nikodim, said he’s seen Forkner as a leader ever since he was a kid growing up in a neighboring county.
“He’s always one of those guys that’s thinking ‘what next, how can I get better?’ He’s just a real pleasure to be around and work with,” Nikodim said. “Growing up having known him has always kept a soft spot in my heart for the guy and seeing him be recognized for the Saddle & Sirloin award is just a culmination of life-long effort to keep getting better. I’m proud to have him in one account as a friend.”
Donations to the Everett & Ruby Forkner Livestock Judging Fund can be made on the fund’s Facebook page.
An award ceremony and fund-raising event for the livestock judging fund commemorating Forkner’s induction into the Saddle & Sirloin Club will be held November 15th at Gobbler’s Roost a restaurant in Nevada, Missouri.
His portrait will be added to the Saddle and Sirloin portrait gallery in Louisville, Kentucky in November. Forkner is the third predominantly swine producer to win the award since it began in 1903.
