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Vurlin and Sandi Clark, Jim Call reap honors at Putnam Ag Breakfast
The dedication of Vurlin and Sandi Clark to family farming coupled with the infatuation of Jim Call with antique tractors and farm equipment were the perfect combination for the 2024 Putnam County Ag Day honors Saturday.
Announcement of the annual Hall of Fame Awards highlighted the Ag Day Breakfast at the Community Building on the Putnam County Fairgrounds.
The Clarks, who have a farming operation on County Road 500 East, east of Greencastle, were named winners of the Farmer of the Year Award, presented annually since 1983. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions toward furthering agriculture in the community.
Meanwhile, Call, who farms part time on his family’s 150-acre Madison Township site and is well known for his association with the Putnam County Antique Tractor and Machinery Association, was named Friend of the Farmer. That award has been presented since 1990 and honors individuals who have made significant contributions toward furthering agriculture either technically, financially, in education or by informing the non-farm sector about the workings of agriculture in the community.
With an estimated 350 people creating a standing-room-only audience and one of the largest gatherings for the event, the Clarks and Call were surprised with their honors as unveiled by Extension Educator Jenna Nees and capped off by the presentation of plaques from the Putnam County Farm Bureau and its president, Steve Cash.
A third-generation farmer, Vurlin Clark married Sandi in 1971 and they are the parents of four children, grandparents of 15 and great-grandparents to five. Their youngest grandchild, grandson Dagan, accompanied the Clarks to the stage for their award.
Farmer of the Year Clark is proud to work alongside his two sons, Jason and Ryan, on a daily basis as they farm soybeans, corn and hay and raise beef cattle on the Clark Farms family farm.
“He’s been known to hill climb with his truck, fall asleep with his hand in the popcorn bowl, give the kids too much sugar and outwork anyone around him,” Nees said in presenting the award. “If Vurlin isn’t putting out hay, fixing a piece of equipment, driving a tractor, fixing fence, checking on animals, burning the trash or making sure the boys are on track, you’ll find him in the stands supporting his grandkids at their sporting events.”
Meanwhile, Call began collecting antique tractors and equipment in the early 1970s, currently maintaining a collection of tractors, steam engines and equipment.
“The exact number of tractors is unknown,” Nees noted, “but his family says he is a little out of control with his hobby.”
Call began showing tractors and equipment at the Indiana State Fair in the early 1980s, and for the last 10 years has been safety officer for the Pioneer Village at the State Fair where he was responsible for the demonstration field operations.
Serving as president of the Putnam County Antique Tractor and Machinery Association for three years, Call helped initiate the group’s wheat threshing demonstration at the Putnam County Fair.
Often seen driving one of his tractors in parades and transporting individuals around the fairgrounds when they have to park in the very back during the fair, Call “does this all with a smile on his face,” Nees said. “as he shares his enthusiasm and love for antique tractors and agriculture.”
Initially farming the family’s Madison Township acreage with his grandfather, Friend of the Farmer Call now is passing on his love for agriculture and farming to his grandsons as they farm the property.
Guest speaker for the morning was South Putnam High School senior Aiden Beadles, an FFA member and 4-H’er in addition to being a noted athlete and the Indianapolis Colts’ 2023 High School Man of the Year.
Talking about leadership and character and what he learned in 4-H and FFA, Beadles said his success has not been defined by one aspect of his activities. He is FFA chapter president at South Putnam, a member of the Putnam County Foundation Youth Philanthropy Committee and a talented athlete, not only as a successful football player but a state finalist in wrestling last month.
“Taking lessons from those who have succeeded themselves,” Beadles said he wouldn’t be where he is “without the leadership lessons learned in FFA.” Additionally he noted that his family is “rooted in hard work” and he was “raised taking care of livestock” and taught not to let success define him.
“I would not have gotten to where I am today without the people around me,” Beadles said. “The people around me rely on me as much as I rely on them.”
Beadles told the audience that his favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 27:17, which instructs, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” and challenged everyone “to help sharpen future leaders.”