Illinois Agri-Women Honor Three Legacy Farm Families for Generations of Women in Agriculture

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Agri-Women are proud to introduce the three Legacy Farm Family Award winners for the Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America (GoAg³) initiative. 

These remarkable families include first place Schultz/Miller Farm Family from northwest Illinois, southern Wisconsin and central Iowa. 

Four generations of women working in production agriculture are represented by fourteen exceptional women from the three living generations. They continue to make their mark in the dairy industry with the Holstein and Brown Swiss Associations and have expanded their love of livestock to horses, sheep, beef cattle, and pigs.

The family engages in their communities through their Illinois and Iowa churches and schools, 4-H and FFA, Annie’s Project, Farmers Union and Farm Bureaus. The Schultz/Miller women also make their mark on the agricultural industry through off-farm careers including University Extension, animal nutrition, genetics services, agricultural banking, k-12 teaching, photography, agritourism, livestock transportation and custom forage harvesting.

“It is truly amazing to see the array of leadership accomplishments and the involvement in agricultural activities by the Schultz/Miller women,” said David Fischer, University of Illinois, retired Extension Dairy Educator, in his letter of recommendation for the Schultz/Miller Family.

The second place Legacy Farm Family Award winner is the Green Farm Family from Arthur, Illinois, in east-central Illinois.

Four generations of women in this unique family have been involved in agriculture dating back to great-grandmother Dorothy, who was the best farm wife and farm supporter throughout her early years as a stay-at-home mom and into her elder years. The farm and family were always at the forefront of her thoughts, actions and prayers. She and great-grandpa made strategic land purchases and set moral and ethical standards that have allowed successive generations to thrive in production agriculture. 

The three living generations are now playing major roles at Heritage Family Farms and have developed alternative and entrepreneurial streams of income for the family.

Jerelyn, Monica and Makenna have been involved in 4-H, FFA, Cub Scouts, DUSC 305 Board of Education, PTA, their church, and Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Board and Farm Bureau. 

“What makes these three women especially deserving of recognition is not only their professional excellence, but their deep commitment to service…agriculture thrives when communities thrive,” said Gregory Peterson, Farm Credit, Illinois, retired Vice President Ag Financial Services.

The third place Legacy Farm Family Award winner is the O’Bryan Farm Family from Grants Pass, Oregon, in southwestern Oregon and Lakeview, Oregon, in south-central Oregon surrounded by the Fremont National Forest. 

The five generations of the O’Bryan Farm Family began with Elsie’s role as a sharecropper’s wife who raised chickens for meat and eggs, a milk cow and pigs. Mary (second generation) was Pennsylvania Dutch but moved to the west coast to serve during World War II where she married and joined her husband’s farm. 

The three living generations are now settled in southern Oregon where livestock is a strong element of their involvement in production agriculture. Kay focused on raising veal calves to supplement family income. Amanda focuses on market gardens and grafting techniques and myotonic goats, which Brenna has now incorporated into her FFA project.

Although Kay is not active due to health issues, Amanda and Brenna are involved in 4-H, FFA, the school district, and Myotonic Goat Registry and Fainting Goat Guild.

The Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America (GoAg³) initiative began in the fall of 2025 to recognize the women who have provided support and encouraged the women of their families to pursue non-traditional roles in agriculture. 

The Illinois Agri-Women have invited the ladies of the three Legacy Farm Families to attend the GoAg³ Celebration on Friday, August 21, 2026 in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. The day will be filled with educational and professional development opportunities, in addition to meeting the Legacy Farm Families in person.

Make plans to join the Illinois Agri-Women to honor the three outstanding families at the Heartland Community College Agriculture Complex and for the award presentation during lunch at the Destihl Brewery and Beer Hall, Normal, IL. 

Illinois Agri-Women is a statewide nonprofit with membership across the state with women involved in agriculture production, industry and stewardship. More information and registration for the Celebration of the Legacy Families are available on the Illinois Agri-Women website, https://illinoisagriwomen.org/goag3/.