The Josh and Amanda Greunke family of rural Owensville was among families honored Aug. 12 during the 67th annual Missouri Farm Family Day at the Missouri State Fair.

The Greunke family was selected as the Gasconade County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Gasconade County and the local Farm Bureau. Their family includes two children, Lucy and Jase.

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 Greunke family operates a 200-acre Red and Black Angus cattle and hay operation along Barren Fork Road west of the Drake community. This is a five generation farm with three of those generations still living on the farm. Josh and Amanda Greunke, along with Richard and Pamela Greunke, own 100 acres of the farm and the other 100 acres is owned by Lee and Mary Greunke, Pearl and the late Elmer Greunke, along with Doris and Jesse Lyons.

The original homestead still stands on the property today. The Greunke farm became a Century Farm in 2006. 

The annual State Fair event is sponsored by five partner agencies including 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 Jason Moore.

“These families are involved in agriculture activities in their communities and are active participants in local outreach and extension,” said Moore. “As the premier showcase for Missouri agriculture, the Missouri State Fair is most certainly the appropriate place to celebrate these families.”