Special to WROY/WRUL News
Five Illinois producers will be honored as 2026 Master Farmers at Prairie Farmer magazine’s annual event in Bloomington, Ill., on Thursday, March 12. For more than 100 years, the award has recognized exceptional agricultural production skills, commitment to family and service to community.
The 2026 Master Farmers are:
· Steve Hettinger, Philo
· Mike and Lynn Martz, Maple Park
· Mike Pratt, Dixon
· Doug Winter, Mill Shoals (profile below)
Prairie Farmer has also named a new Honorary Master Farmer this year: Mark Gebhards. Gebhards retired last year following more than 20 years with the Illinois Farm Bureau, much of it spent leading governmental affairs. Gebhards is also known for helping develop the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act while at Illinois Pork Producers, and for helping create the national soybean checkoff while at American Soybean Association.
“The Master Farmer award is Illinois agriculture’s lifetime achievement award,” said Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer editor. “These farmers are at the top of their agricultural game. They’ve built farms and families, and they are as committed to community as they are to commodities.”
Prairie Farmer first offered the Master Farmer award 101 years ago, in 1925. Editors have continued the tradition annually since 1968, following a pause initially caused by the Depression. When Editor Clifford Gregory established the Master Farmer program, he felt the award would help give farm people a greater sense of “pride and permanence.” More than 300 Illinois producers have been inducted as Master Farmers or Honorary Master Farmers over the program’s history.
Candidates are nominated by family, farmers, neighbors, agribusiness leaders and farm organizations throughout the state. Judges for the awards were Karen Corrigan, McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics; Germán Bollero, University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences dean; Doug Schroeder, 2022 Master Farmer; Brad Zwilling, Illinois FBFM; Mike Gunderson, Farm Credit Illinois chief credit officer; and Mike Wilson, Farm Progress.
Some Master Farmers serve in state and national farm leadership positions. Others chair prestigious boards or serve with honor at the highest levels of government. Still others build their farms or businesses to regional or national prominence.
However, all serve their communities — building churches, chairing little-known but important committees, leading the township — and continue the service-minded commitment that earned them the Master Farmer distinction in the first place.
“There’s a saying that if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it — because they’ll get it done,” Spangler says. “These Master Farmers have succeeded not just in their business, but they also freely give their time and talent to the larger community. Those are the values that make rural communities special.”
Prairie Farmer is published 11 times a year for Illinois farm families, and its editors provide daily agricultural news at PrairieFarmer.com. Established in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published farm periodical in the United States.
This spring, fifth-generation farmer Doug Winter will plant the 157th crop on his family’s White County, Ill., farm, purchased by his great-great-grandfather in 1869. Doug and his wife Nancy have grown their operation from 60 acres and 70 Polled Herefords in 1975 to 3,200 acres of corn and soybeans today, thanks to careful management and conservation.
Doug began farming with his father after graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1975. He later partnered with his brother Richard until his retirement in 2017. Nancy, a CPA, manages farm financials, payroll and taxes, while Doug analyzes field-by-field data to maximize profitability. He also operates a Pioneer seed dealership and raises yellow and white corn, soybeans, and seed soybeans, using no-till, mulch-till, and cover crops on 65% of his acreage. Conservation efforts include buffer strips, tile systems and monitoring fertilizer runoff to protect the Little Wabash River.
Doug’s commitment to innovation began in 1996 with grid soil sampling and VRT lime, saving costs and improving efficiency. He’s now exploring drone sprayer applications for wet fields. While their children, Charisse and Neil, won’t farm, Doug and Nancy are preparing them to manage the land through “Ag 101” classes, teaching farm history, finances and conservation.
Doug’s impact extends globally. As a leader with the Illinois Soybean Association, United Soybean Board, and USSEC, he’s traveled to 26 countries, promoting U.S. soybeans and hosting international buyers on his farm. He also pioneered the U.S. Soy live cam, showcasing sustainable farming practices to global audiences.
Reflecting on his legacy, Doug cherishes family memories on the farm and looks forward to agriculture’s future. “I truly can’t wait to see what’s next for agriculture!” he said.
Doug was nominated by Doug Anderson, White County Farm Bureau.
We’ll catch up with Winter during a special Open Line coming up on Monday morning.