MANHATTAN — Rick and Sharon Hiss, Barton County, are one of Kansas Farm Bureau’s Farm Family of the Year honorees.    

Each year, a select number of families receive the Farm Family of the Year award for their service and leadership in agriculture, Farm Bureau and their communities. This year there were 10 families.   

Rick and Sharon Hiss farm on a Century Farm in Barton County that includes wheat, milo, corn, oats, sorghum, CRP ground and a cow-calf operation. They rotate crops on a regular basis to maintain good soil and practice conservation methods. In 1999, they received the Kansas Bankers Association Soil Conservation Award. 

Rick is a fourth-generation Farm Bureau member and has served on the Barton County Farm Bureau board in a variety of roles including vice president and treasurer, along with serving on the scholarship and nuisance codes committees. Sharon has also served on the Barton County Farm Bureau board with stints as president, treasurer and Women’s Chair. At the state level, she’s served on the Promotion and Education and Women’s Leadership committees. Both enjoy assisting with community outreach events and attending annual meetings. 

Rick and Sharon believe Farm Bureau is the key to a strong ag system and feels all members must work together at the county, state and national Farm Bureau levels to keep the organization strong and viable for future generations.