2022 Farm Family Awarded to Mike and Cathy Patrick
Mike and Cathy Patrick, Lindsborg, have been named the 2022 McPherson County Farm Family from the McPherson Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. The Patricks operate a diversified crop and cow/calf operation between Lindsborg and Marquette that has been in the Patrick family for several generations. Mike grew up on the family farm and, after completing the Diesel Mechanics program at Salina Vo Tech and a brief stint working at a Case dealership in Salina, made the decision to begin farming full time with his father, Duane Patrick.
Mike and Cathy were married in 1989 after being introduced by Mike’s sister, who was a student, along with Cathy, at McPherson College. They live on the farm that was Mike’s grandfathers. They have four children, Chris, Andrew, Benjamin and Alyssa. Chris and Benjamin have joined the farming operation along with nephew Heath Patrick, who recently moved to Lindsborg after retiring from the military. Andrew lives in Washington state and works in the tech field. Alyssa is an elementary school teacher. Over time Mike and Cathy have expanded the farm, taking over ground from retiring family members to allow their children and nephew the opportunity to join the operation.
The Patrick farm and ranch includes pasture, on which they run a 600-plus cow herd, and crop ground. Except for replacement heifers, calves are sold in the fall. Their primary crop is wheat, and they also grow corn, beans, milo, alfalfa, prairie hay and brome. Wheat producers in the county are familiar with the Patricks as they have an Extension wheat plot each year.
The Patrick family has a long tradition of community involvement. Mike’s father served as a McPherson County Commissioner for several terms, and Mike and Cathy also are involved in community service. Mike has served on the McPherson County FSA Board and as the treasurer of Union Township. Cathy has sung in the Messiah at Bethany College for 15 years. The Patricks have volunteered at their children’s schools in a variety of ways, including bringing farm animals – baby goats, baby pigs and calves – for special learning activities. Both Cathy and Mike have assisted Ag in the Classroom instructor Fran Stuckey in several schools in the county since the program began.
The family was actively involved in Monitor Church of the Brethren for many years and are now attending Valley Community Church in Marquette.
The Patricks believe it is important to keep family-owned farms a vital part of the agricultural segment in communities and have positioned themselves the best they can to provide opportunities for their children to farm if they choose. Mike is the only one of the four Patrick siblings who chose to continue farming. He and Cathy are pleased that two of their sons and their nephew find value in returning to the family business and are finding ways to establish their own farming operations. They hope that the next generation of Patricks will find it as fulfilling an experience as they have.
Congratulations Mike and Cathy on being named the McPherson Chamber of Commerce, Farm Family of the Year.
-article written by Cindy Baldwin, Baldwin Creative Services, and Chamber Ag Committee member