McArtor family to be honored at State Fair

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

DES MOINES ? The Jim and Sara McArtor family, Crawfordsville, will be one of six Iowa farm families recognized at the Iowa State Fair.

The McArtors, who will be honored, Thursday, Aug. 20, will be recognized as recipients of the 2015 Way We Live Award.

Each of the six families are being recognized for its love of the land and the product they produce. The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and dedication to farming.

Shortly after their marriage in 1988, Jim and Sara McArtor purchased a 40-acre farm where they raised their three children and still reside today.

The farm began with raising 40 head of Dorset sheep and a few acres of corn and soybeans. As the years passed, the sheep flock steadily grew, eventually reaching 120 head.

With the McArtors working off the farm as well, chore time instilled a sense of responsibility and teamwork within the gamily. The family was also heavily involved in 4-H with all of the children showing sheep and eventually branching into other livestock projects, such as poultry, rabbits and goats.

Their oldest son, Brett, attended Iowa State University, majoring in ag systems technology and currently works for the Iowa Soybean Association.

Son Brian studied renewable electricity at Indian Hills Community College and went back to the farm after receiving his degree.

Daughter Brenda is currently attending Iowa State University where she studies graphic design. All three children attribute their success in life to the responsibility and teamwork skills they learned while growing up on the farm.

Jim and Sara McArtor are still active in 4-H, assisting and mentoring local youth with goat projects.

Each entrant in the Way We Live Award competition was asked to submit a short essay describing how the occupation of farming and living on a farm has shaped their lives. Six families were chosen from the 40 entrants.

Each award-winning family will receive a prize packing including $250 cash, fair tickets, free parking, various coupon books and recognition in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the fair at 10:30 during various days.