How 80-Acres Turned into a Generational Farm
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Pictured above, front row, from the left: Maren Moore, Reed Reynolds, Ed Powers, Joy Powers, Kent Blades, Khyler Harvey, Linda Blades, Brexley Harvey and Ayden Brown. Second row, from the left: Kemper Reynolds, Grayson Moore, Jeff Moore, Sally Moore, Betsy Reynolds, Buffy Raines, Hank Heiman, Dana Harvey, Brendan Blades and Kellie Ellyson. Back row, from the left: Todd Reynolds, John Raines, Casey Heiman, Rachel Heiman, Kurt Harvey, Curt Blades, Adam Ellyson, Betsy Blades, Austin Raines, Halley Blades, Brittani Harvey and Kyle Harvey. Photograph submitted
Courtesy of Century Farms www.cfwhiskey.com
The Blades Family Farm recently received the Missouri Century Farm Award.
In February 1922, Bill and Floy Fisher bought an 80-acre farm in Monroe County, Missouri and grew corn, wheat and livestock.
In February 2022, the fifth-generation farm became 100 years old. Through the years, the generational farm has grown from its 80-acre origin to over 5000 acres.
Kent Blades and his wife, Linda, continue to farm and grow the operation. Their three children are all involved in production agriculture and the farm.
After the Fishers farmed the original 80 acres, the farm was led by their daughter, Lucille and her husband, Ray Blades. Ray and Lucille grew the operation and built a new home on the original homestead.
In 1965 their son, Kent, joined the operation. When Ray passed away in 1983, their daughter, Joy (Powers) and her husband, Ed, became landowners and a part of the family operation.
Kent and Linda’s daughter, Dana, and her husband, Kurt Harvey, joined the farming operation in 1990. Currently the farm operation is led by Kurt and Dana and their son, Kyle. Kyle is the fifth generation of the family operation.
Lots of operational changes have occurred since 1922.
The equipment and technology have greatly enabled growth and efficiency. Most of the land farmed is within a five-mile radius of the original homestead.
Ed and Joy have continued to help grow the operation through multiple land purchases over the years.
In 2010, they purchased and restored a historic barn adjacent to the home place and added an additional building.
Currently, the farm raises corn, soybeans and cattle.
There is a new generation of young farmers on the horizon.
The family intends to continue to grow and operate the farming operation into the next generation.
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