Farm family of the year honored at chamber breakfast

The Lackman family, of St. Thomas, was recognized as the Cole County Farm Family of the Year Wednesday at the annual Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast. They are, from left, Kayla, 17; Bruce holding Virgil, 1; Levi, 6; Dorothy, 10; Linda, and on near side of table in the denim jacket is Dorothy's twin sister, Clara.
The Lackman family, of St. Thomas, was recognized as the Cole County Farm Family of the Year Wednesday at the annual Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast. They are, from left, Kayla, 17; Bruce holding Virgil, 1; Levi, 6; Dorothy, 10; Linda, and on near side of table in the denim jacket is Dorothy's twin sister, Clara.

When Bruce and Linda Lackman bought their farm near St. Thomas in 2000, they combined his experience with cattle and her fondness of horses.

The Cole County Farm Family of the Year, selected by the Cole County Farm Bureau and the Cole County Extension Center, was recognized Wednesday at the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce's 37th annual Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast.

The full-time Missouri National Guard soldier and local veterinarian have shared their fondness for farm living with their five children - Kayla, 17; Dorothy, 10; Clara, 10; Levi, 6; and Virgil, 1 - through daily responsibilities and individual interests.

Bruce said his favorite time is calving season, and Linda said she values involving the whole family.

Oldest daughter Kayla said she enjoys her family and their life on a Cole County farm. She has learned a strong work ethic and accepts the challenge of doing something right the first time.

"These are things I can use later on in life," Kayla said.

The children are growing up involved in 4-H, just like their mother was in Monroe County. 4-H has helped Kayla pursue her interest in welding, and she is active in the Nichols Career Center FFA Chapter.

Dorothy learned she enjoys feeding bottle calves after being asked to help out when she was younger. Now, along with her sisters, she shows cattle each fair season.

And Clara brought sheep on to the Lackman farm last year for the first time, adopting two orphan lambs. And this year, the entire family pitched in when their first lambs were born.

Bruce said he was surprised "to be recognized for living on a farm and doing what we do every day."

The chamber's annual prayer breakfast, hosted by the Cole County Communities Committee, also featured emcee Rod Smith, sponsor Sen. Mike Kehoe and guest speaker Warren Krech.

"This is a wonderful tradition in our community, coming together and being thankful for our blessings," Smith said.

Kehoe encouraged the nearly 300 people who attended to rejoice this week.

And Krech, who owns a farm in South Dakota with his brother homesteaded by his great-great-grandfather in 1878, said thank you to a variety of roles in the community from farmers and law enforcement to the everyday parent working to make ends meet.

"We receive blessings every day, even if we don't realize it," he said.