2012 Midwest Region Winner: Sherri Lynn Kannmacher

The Kannmacher farming operation is a small farm in Southeastern Illinois. They have 700 acres of corn, soy beans, and wheat and have a small herd of Hereford/Angus cattle. They also have a custom hay baling and a custom CRP planting operations.

Sherri's Nomination: When Sherri married my son she had just moved to Illinois from California with no farming experience, but lots of allergies. She has adjusted well and is now the mother of 4 beautiful daughters; Caitlin 13, Liz 12, Lyla 8 and Molly 2.5. To learn basic farm knowledge and jargon Sherri enrolled in Annie's Project and through this has been encouraging, helping with decision making and giving a new perspective to Mark. Sherri and my granddaughters bottle feed milk calves for market, keep chickens and raise a garden, selling the “extras.” Sherri uses these jobs to teach the girls responsibility and to show them projects aren't always successful and to learn from their mistakes.

Video: Sherri (1:25min)

A presenter at the 2011 Executive Farm Women's Conference, Chicago; traveled to Guatemala and Nicaragua with ISA (Illinois Soybean Association); was part of round table discussions with Illinois Master Farmers; and member of the DuPont Young Leaders lobbying for agriculture in Washington. She does it all, from making and freezing dinners, book keeping, running equipment, attending school and team sport events while also having a full time career as a R.N. where farm images have been used to explain to a reluctant farmer in need of dialysis how it's just like changing an oil filter on a tractor. Sherri is a loving daughter and one super terrific daughter-in-law. This California transplant is a great mother, wife and committed Christian helping with our weekly church youth outreach all while demonstrating her love of farming to anyone who listens.