Ketchum Family Selected As Scotland County’s Missouri Farm Family

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

Memphis, Mo. – Jenna Ketchum and family of Downing were among the Missouri families honored at the 68th annual Missouri Farm Family Day on August 11 during the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

The Ketchum family was chosen as the Scotland County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension and the Scotland County Farm Bureau. The family includes Jenna, Zada, Cora, Rhett, and Kruz.

Each year, the Missouri State Fair designates a day to celebrate farm families from across the state who are engaged in production agriculture, demonstrate strong community involvement, and participate in outreach and youth development programs such as 4-H or FFA.

Jenna and the late Jesse Ketchum purchased and operated a cow/calf operation with hay and pasture ground outside of Downing. Jesse was a life-long advocate for agriculture, 4-H, and FFA, where he was an alumni of both organizations. He purchased his first farm as a senior in high school in 2002 where he raised Simmental cattle and dabbled in row crops for a couple of years. Jesse and Jenna grew this operation in 2006 with the purchase of their current farm.

Zada, Cora, Rhet, and Kruz learned to love agriculture from a young age. After Jesse’s passing in 2017, many people jumped in to help wherever needed to ensure that the Ketchum familycould continue their passion of agriculture and their love of 4-H, FFA, and showing cattle.

Through the years, the Ketchums have been happy to volunteer and give back to those who have helped them and those just starting out to have the same passion.

Jenna is a lifelong resident of Scotland County. She began her 19th year teaching this fall at Scotland County R-I Schools where she teaches Family Consumer Science & Human Services to 7-12 graders focusing on Foods & Culinary classes, Personal Finance, Child & Human Development, as well as Entrepreneurship Classes. Jenna loves teaching in a vocational area where students can learn hands-on skills. She is also the advisor for the Scotland County FCCLA Chapter. She has the pleasure of having all 4 kids attend Scotland County R-I Schools where she teaches.

Zada is a senior at Scotland County R-I where she is highly involved, and serves as President of FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, NHS, Student Council, and the Class of 2026. She also shoots trap and is serving as a co-captain this year. She is also serving as the Missouri FFA Area 3 Sentinel this year and is currently serving on the Missouri Cattlemen’s Board as a Regional Vice President.

Zada is active in the Missouri Jr. Hereford Association and the Missouri Jr. Simmental Association, where she served as the Missouri Simmental Queen in 2022. In her free time, Zada enjoys showing cattle at the local, state and national level, trapshooting, serving in organizations, and mentoring local youth interested in agriculture. After this year, Zada is planning on pursuing her passion through a career in Agriculture Education at Northwest Missouri State University.

Cora is a sophomore at Scotland County R-I where she is also highly involved and holds offices in FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, Student Council, the Class of 2028. Cora is actively involved in the Missouri Jr. Simmental Association where she is currently serving as the Missouri Simmental Queen. In her free time Cora enjoys playing softball on her high school and travel teams where she plays first base, shooting archery, as well as showing cattle at the local, state, and national level. Cora has a passion for showing cattle and working with livestock.

Rhet is in 8th grade at Scotland County R-I where he is a class officer for the Class of 2030 and is on the Scholar Bowl Team. Rhet is also very involved with the Missouri Jr. Simmental Association and previously the Missouri Jr. Hereford Association.

Rhet enjoys showing cattle at the local, state, and national level, showing dogs, working with his animals, and practicing his baking and grilling skills.

Kruz is in 5th grade this year at Scotland County R-I. He plays Tiger Cub Football and has begun showing cattle also. He really enjoys shooting sports where he shoots .22 Rifle and Archery as well as learning many skills in Hunting & Outdoor Skills through 4-H. He has started his leadership career by holding his first office in 4-H this year.

Jenna and all of the kids are all extremely involved in 4-H. Jenna serves as the leader of the Azen Jolly Timers and an advisor for the Scotland County 4-H Council. She also currently serves as a project leader for Foods, Clover Kids, and Beef. She has previously served as a project leader for Sewing, Electricity, Livestock Judging, and Arts & Crafts. She loves helping new families become involved in 4-H and learning the ropes. Zada serves as the President of both the Azen Jolly Timers and Scotland County 4-H Council and loves mentoring young members. Cora currently serves as the Secretary of both the Azen Jolly Timers and Scotland County 4-H Council where she prides herself on an accurate account of minutes and meeting proceedings.

Rhet is currently serving as the Vice President of the Azen Jolly Timers and has previously held offices in 4-H Council. Kruz currently serves as a 4-H Council Representative for the Azen Jolly Timers. 4-H is a family affair. For the Ketchum Kids, this is a 5th generation family tradition. Their great-great grandparents chartered the Azen Jolly Timers 4-H Club and they are proud to carry on such a strong legacy.

As a family, the Ketchum’s spend countless hours volunteering for 4-H and other community events and even cooking and providing meals for many of these events. They take pride in helping out wherever they can and helping younger generations expand their passion for agriculture. They, themselves, are very active in our community, the show industry, and advocating for agriculture. They are very proud to represent Scotland County as this year’s State Fair Farm Family at the Missouri State Fair.

Farm Family Day is made possible through the support of the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri State Fair Commissioners, the University ofMissouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and MU Extension.

“This day is a meaningful tradition that puts the spotlight on the families who are the backbone of Missouri agriculture,” said Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore. “They’re not only feeding our state and nation, but they’re also leading in their communities and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. It’s an honor to recognize their dedication.”