Champions of tradition: Supporting and advocating for Shelby County agriculture

SHELBY COUNTY, Mo. — Shawn and Kelly McEwen believe that agriculture’s success deserves support from the entire community.

The McEwen family is proud to be a part of the agricultural traditions of newly #Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County near Leonard.

Shawn and Kelly McEwen have a traditional farm, raising hogs, cattle and crops. Their children, Dylan and Marissa, are fifth generation farmers who declared their intentions to remain in agriculture early on with niche businesses. The McEwens are devoted to agriculture today and are committed to agriculture’s tomorrow. They believe that the future of Shelby County’s agricultural traditions deserve the support of the entire community.

Shawn grew up on the family farm he now operates. His family raises cattle to market weight and custom finishes piglets to harvest weight. Twelve hundred acres of crops and custom fieldwork also keep the family busy. In partnership with his brother, Jeremy, Shawn supports other producers through Mc Ewen Brothers Seed and Sidedressing.

In a press release, Shawn McEwen said, “I’ve always appreciated the independence of farming. I get to set my own schedule. Every day I get to be responsible for if my business works, and if it doesn’t, to find a solution.”

Today, Shawn and Kelly’s farming business encompasses land from three family century farms.

Shelby County’s geographic location supports the success of local farmers. It’s a short distance to the Mississippi River, ethanol plants and to Iowa, provide access to marketing and processing options. The county’s sparse local populations have built strong community culture and a shared rural spirit unites a county looking ahead to the future.

#Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County boasts a history of agricultural education traditions and FFA contest successes at the state and national level. As an interim FFA advisor, Shawn experienced the commitment of Shelby County’s hardworking kids first-hand, as they put in the hours to continue traditions of excellence.

“Shelby County has a great history of farm kids returning to their family farms,” says Kelly.

“One of the best parts of farming is the opportunity to work with our kids,” Shawn shares. “Farming isn’t fun every day. But it is worth it every day.”

Dylan and Marissa McEwen took an active part in their family farm through their FFA SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) projects. Dylan has completed college, while Marissa has just begun. They both intend to remain a part of the family farm by continuing their projects as businesses. Dylan grows popcorn. Marissa grows black oil and giant striped sunflowers for birdseed. The popcorn is sold to kettle corn poppers and direct to consumers, including tins for Christmas. Dylan and Marissa’s products can be found at North Fork Farms, a member of the Missouri Grown initiative.

“Our kids are creating more revenue streams for our farm. Expansion for our farm is feasible since they are willing to join us in the labor,” Shawn says.

Shelby County’s agriculture leaders expressed interest in #Agri-Ready Designation years ago; it took the right local leadership on the county commission to see their vision come to fruition. Economic development efforts, interests and leadership have aligned with unwavering support to proclaim, protect and promote the growth of agriculture and its contributions to the local economy. The McEwens are excited about the official recognition and support #Agri-Ready Designation will lend to Shelby County’s heritage, tradition and future in agriculture.

“We have been instilling the importance of our farms to our kids for many years,” Shawn says.

Now, #Agri-Ready Designation communicates to the next generation that the community recognizes that importance, too.

The McEwen family are members of the Leonard Christian Church where Shawn serves as an elder. He also serves on the North Shelby school board. Kelly serves their community as a Parents as Teachers eEducator at North Shelby. Shawn and Kelly are members of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau, which are partner organizations of Missouri Farmers Care. Shawn and Kelly serve on the Shelby County Farm Bureau Board. Dylan and Marissa are junior members of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

In #Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County, agriculture, food and forestry contributes $101.3 million in total value-added products, supports more than 1,300 jobs, and adds $83.4 million annually to household incomes according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study.

Crops are responsible for more than 70% of #Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County’s agricultural sales according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture.

An Agri-Ready Designation is a voluntary partnership between county governments and MFC to protect, promote and encourage future development of agriculture as a thriving component in Missouri’s economy.