Seeds of faith and farming: Stephensons 2021 Farm Family of the Year

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews honored the Stephenson Family as the 24th Indiana Farm Family of the Year.

Nine years ago, the Stephensons started their farm with 25 acres and a dream. Now, they farm 600 acres of corn and soybeans in the heart of the eastern Corn Belt.

David Stephenson farms alongside his son, Kyle, and grandson, Judah, with the help of other family and friends.

David is pastor of the Restoration Church in Whiteland. His church has grown alongside the farm — planting one seed of faith at a time.

“I think it’s amazing that you can take a little bit of faith, and it will go a long, long way to push you forward in your life,” he said.

From visiting sick patients in the hospital to hosting food drives for those who are hungry, the family dedicates their spare time to helping others.

David believes that education is important and was a leader of the Clark Pleasant School Board for 16 years.

“A lot of people are born into a farm family,” he said. “We were not born into a farm family. We started with nothing. To be able to say, in nine years, we came from 25 acres up to 600 acres, and we didn’t even own a tractor — it’s so special to us.

“Every day that we get to be in the field is a blessing. We enjoy it so much. We’re so grateful and thankful to be a part of the all the farmers who make a difference in this country, feeding a nation.”

The Stephensons pour their souls into their farm and their church. Their hope is for continued growth in both places.