Kerry Ames, John Shoffner claim Ag Hall of Fame honors

The Farmer/Farm Family of the Year award has been given since 1983, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to further agriculture either technically or by informing the non-farm sector about the workings of agriculture in the community. Among the past winners are Kerry’s parents Kenny and Marlene, who won the award in 1999.

Family figured heavily into the nomination material quoted by Putnam County Extension Director and Ag Day Committee member Jenna Nees in her introduction.

“The 2025 Farmer of the Year has been blessed with the opportunity to work with his family in their farm business,” Nees said, noting that Ames attended Purdue University and graduated as the Agricultural Economics and Business Management Top Senior Scholar. “He joined his father Kenny Ames, and then his two younger brothers (Kim and Kent) joined shortly after and formed Ames 4-K Farms.”

Together, the three brothers were named Master Farmers by Indiana Prairie Farmer in 2012, the first time in history the magazine honored three brothers in the same year.

Outside of the family operation, Ames’ community involvement has been extensive, as he served on the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District board for 18 years, as well as several years on the state SWCD board. Other organizations he’s served with include Putnam County Farm Bureau, Putnam County Purdue Extension Board and the 4-H Council. Ames is also an elder of Fillmore Christian Church.

“Faith and farming have always gone hand in hand for this individual,” Nees said. “He loves his family, especially his nine grandchildren, and looks forward to all the continued changes in agriculture in the future.”

In addition to his brothers, he now also farms with sons Kole and Kyle, as well as nephew Michael.

“He’s excited to have his grandchildren starting to help on the farm and showing interest in the operation,” Nees said.

When he got up to accept the award, Ames commented only briefly, but made sure to have his large family contingent, including wife Corliss, stand up. He then referenced Ag Day speaker Duane Huge, who had earlier commented on family farms.

“Talk about family farms — Duane brought it up — I guess we’re as family as you can get,” Ames said, “There’s a lot of that out here. It’s pretty special to have everybody here. I appreciate it. Thanks very much.”

The Friend of the Farmer is a family farmer himself, having started his operation along with wife Nancy in 1976 with a farm at Little Point.

Described as “a humble, godly man who believes that it’s just his duty to help his neighbors,” Shoffner was also given a glowing introduction as Nees quoted his nomination letter.

“His family says he is one of the hardest-working men they know,” Nees said. “He has always worked so hard to provide for this family and anyone else who may need it.”

Nees described Shoffner as “a very respected farm equipment mechanic specializing in New Holland TR 70 Combines and building Massey Ferguson garden tractor pulling tractors.”

Having moved their operation to Putnam County in 1987, John and Nancy embarked on another big venture in 1999 when they opened Shoffner Farm Equipment, serving Putnam County and surrounding areas for more than 20 years.

“It is hard to go anywhere in the agriculture community between Martinsville, Bainbridge, Greencastle and Arthur, Ill., and not find someone who knows who John Shoffner is,” Ames said.

His hay and straw operations took him beyond the immediately local area, as he not only sold in Putnam County, but also to the Indianapolis Stockyards and even covered the floors of Market Square Arena, the Hoosier Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse with straw for dirt events such as PBR rodeos, Supercross and monster truck events.

Highlighting an agriculture career that has included raising cattle, pigs, corn, wheat, soybeans, popcorn, silage, gras has, oat hay and alfalfa hay, Nees noted that Shoffner has always looked ahead for improvements in farming.

“John was always looking for a better way to do things and was not afraid to try something new or unpopular,” she said. “He was a pioneer in bringing ‘ugly farming’ to the area. He was no-tilling before no-tilling was cool. In the early days of no-till, John was the guy you called if you wanted your soybeans no-till drilled.”

This willingness to share went beyond farming, as he “encouraged countless youth to follow Jesus,” with his passion for youth also leading him to work at the Putnam County Fair and serve on the Fair Board.

And he still keeps busy.

“If you are looking for John, you will probably have to call his cell phone,” Nees said. “You will either find him in a field, on a mower, in church, playing with the grandkids, delivering sweet corn, on a pulling strip or working in the shop.

“John has influenced so many people in his life through his faith in God, love for his family, dedication to farming and his desire to help others. He has specifically passed his love of farming on to his kids and grandkids.”

The names of Ames and Shoffner will be added to the plaques on display in the Community Building recognizing all of the Ag Hall of Fame members.