World's Worst Farmer to appear at Callaway County church

Lewis Baumgartner, known as the "World's Worst Farmer," stands in front of the barn on his property near Millersburg. The humor speaker, who suffered a stroke a few years ago, has added a motivational element to his program dealing with his recovery.
Lewis Baumgartner, known as the "World's Worst Farmer," stands in front of the barn on his property near Millersburg. The humor speaker, who suffered a stroke a few years ago, has added a motivational element to his program dealing with his recovery.

For the last quarter century, Lewis Baumgartner of Millersburg has been entertaining audiences around the nation when he appears as "The World's Worst Farmer."

Baumgartner spins tales of his exploits after he bought a farm in 1979. It was a great year to buy a farm, he says, if you didn't want to farm very long.

Since 1987 Baumgartner has been the featured speaker as "The World's Worst Farmer" at more than 1,100 meetings and conventions across the United States and Canada.

Five years ago Baumgartner suffered a debilitating stroke and lost his ability to speak. But after a long and successful rehabilitation, he's hoping to return to the speaking circuit.

Today (Sunday) at 6 p.m., Baumgartner will appear at the Richland Baptist Church just north of Fulton to discuss his experience as a humorist and his rehabilitation after the stroke.