The Fowler family of Truman has been named Martin County’s 2026 Farm Family of the Year. Ron and Dora Fowler operate a 1,000-acre corn and soybean farm while also raising about 18,000 hogs annually. Fowler began raising pigs in high school and has expanded the business from just 60 hogs in the 1970s to a modern wean-to-finish operation spread across multiple sites. The family also works closely with their son, Travis, who farms another 1,000 acres nearby, while grandsons Jed and Grayson also pitch in. Fowler says managing livestock health and understanding production costs are among the biggest challenges facing agriculture today. He says biosecurity measures are critical as producers continue to battle diseases. The Fowler family will receive the Farm Family of the Year award during Farmfest, scheduled for August 4th through 6th in Morgan.
