Mike and Paula Thies and family of Armstrong were among the families honored during the 66th annual Missouri Farm Family Day, on August 14, at the Missouri State Fair.

The Thies family was selected as the Howard County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Howard County and the local Farm Bureau. The family includes Mike and Paula, and their four children, Colin, Lyndi, Logan, and Leah.

Each year, the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state that are active in their communities, involved in agriculture, and/or participate in local outreach and extension programs such as 4-H or FFA.

The Thies family raises crops and manages a cow and calf operation Mr. Thies and his son, Colin, also run a Pioneer Seed dealership.

The annual event is sponsored by five partner agencies: the Missouri Farm Bureau; the Missouri Department of Agriculture; the Missouri State Fair Commissioners; the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and MU Extension.

The event showcases the impact that Missouri farm families have on the economy and heritage of the state, said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. “These families are involved in agriculture activities in their communities and are active participants in local outreach and extension. As the premier showcase for Missouri agriculture, the Missouri State Fair is most certainly the appropriate place to celebrate these families.”