Keith Lowry, of Lowry Farms, Inc., does more than grow winter wheat, corn and soybeans on his farm in Water Valley, Kentucky.
Keith and his team at Lowry Farms also host a variety of events that cater to the needs and interests of their local community.
The need for a safety net
While the many events that the Lowrys host on their farm bring great fun to the community, agricultural production remains at the center of their operation. Just like some events on the farm go off without a hitch and some present unique challenges, agriculture has its ups and downs.
Back in 2012, the Lowrys faced a drought, one so bad that it caused yields to decrease 80 percent. Faced with this challenge, Keith turned to River Valley AgCredit for support. “My most important tool that year was not my tractors or my combines: it was my crop insurance policy that sustained my financial stability,” he said.
Keith wants to earn his living doing what he loves: producing and selling his crops, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need support when times are tough. “We as farmers do not want, do not need, money to grow a crop. We need a safety net such as the crop insurance policies. We need those to sustain our crops and our farm for our future generations such as my kids and my grandkids,” he said.
Fun for all
Keith and the Lowry family open their farm to the community multiple times a year for events. To educate their fellow farmers in 2019, the Lowrys partnered with their local extension office at Kentucky University to host the Annual Winter Ag Conference. This event featured a variety of speakers who presented on topics such as the Farm Bill and updates about herbicides. The event also included an expo where attendees could learn from exhibitors.
In addition to educational events, the Lowrys also host gatherings that celebrate their community’s agricultural successes. In October of 2019, they hosted Harvest Fest Homecoming. Neighbors and community members were invited to the farm to listen to music by Josh Johnson, Luk Nichols, Joe Denim & Friends Hit Songwriters Round and Craig Allen Country. They set up lawn chairs, enjoyed food from vendors and reflected on all that they had accomplished that season.
The Lowrys never forget about the youngest members of their community, either. Each year they host the Annual Kids Christmas Party. Guests and their children enjoy chili, hot dogs, cupcakes and, most importantly, meet Santa! The Lowrys set up coloring, face painting, an obstacle course, a bounce house and more.
