Buddy and Lisa Edenburn named IBA Farm Family of the Year

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Buddy and Lisa Edenburn of Penfield are the 2020 Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year.

The Edenburns' service and commitment to the cattle industry earned them the title.

Lisa’s father, Dean Piatt, and his family began the family row-crop operation about 70 years ago on the land in Armstrong. When he and his wife, Jane, were married 55 years ago, they continued the operation.

“My grandpa built this farm from scratch,” said their daughter, Bailey.

Their interest in the cattle industry began with the purchase of a 4-H steer in 1998. Their small farm has continued to grow since then and the family has recently marketed cattle genetics internationally.

“If you would have asked 12-year-old Bailey where this was going, I would have never had a clue we were going to be selling cattle to Australia,” Bailey said. “It makes you proud to know that you’ve bought into genetics that aren’t just accepted in terms of the U.S., but worldwide, which isn’t necessarily something everyone can say.”

Buddy and Lisa have a strong passion for junior programs, in particular, Illinois Junior Hereford Association members. Both made large contributions to the association by serving as advisers for more than 10 years.

Buddy and Lisa hope to look back on their lives, to see lives in service for others and a legacy of dedication to the industry and family they raised.

“Things will change through the years, but we are happy to see Bailey and Cody continuing the cattle operation into the next generation,” Lisa said. “And through the years, we’ve helped a lot of people, and hopefully they can continue that, as well.”