July 27, 2016 part b

THE JOHN PETRUS FAMILY

2016 PRAIRIE COUNTY FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR Making Time for ...

Family, Farming, and Community!

A Special Tribute from The

Grand Prairie Herald

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Section B Congratulations and Best Wishes from our staff and the supporters appearing in this issue!

Page 2B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The John Petrus Family, Fifth Generation Farmer, named 2016 Prairie County Farm Family John Petrus is the son of Robert and Terry Petrus of Carlisle, Arkansas. He is the fifth generation farmer in the Petrus family. Kristel, his wife, is the former Kristel Hornsby of Lonoke. She is the daughter of Quinton and Paula Hornsby of Lonoke.

John and Kristel will be married 14 years on December 28, 2016. They have two sons Luke, age 11, and Lawson, age 9 and a daughter Ella, age 4.

They reside in their home at 70 Prairie Cove in Carlisle and farm at 4100 Hanson Road in between Hazen and Carlilse. The farm is 4.2 miles East of Carlisle and 1.2 miles South at the first shop on the right.

They attend the First United Methodist Church in Lonoke.

John is a 1998 graduate of Arkansas State University - Jonesboro where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in

Agriculture. He has been a Farm Bureau Board of Directors in Lonoke County from 2004 to present, Prairie County Extension Council member from 2013 to 2015, Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee and Farm Bureau Rice Committee from 2007 to 2009, Awanas from 2013 to present, City League Baseball Coach from 2010 to present, City League Basketball Coach from 2012 to present, WatchDog Dad from 2015 to present, First United Methodist Church Pastor-Parish Relations Committee from 2008 to 2009, Lonoke County Leadership Training program in 2006, Arkansas Seed Dealer’s Association Board of Directors from 2011 to 2013, Arkansas Seed Grower’s Association Board of Directors from 2006 to present, Arkansas Soybean Association, Arkansas Rice Council

and Riceland In-Depth Program in 2004.

Kristel is a 2004 graduate of UAMS College of Pharmacy where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and works in the healthcare industry. She is a Pharmacist at Walmart in Lonoke and an independent consultant for Rodan and Fields.

She is also very active in church and community activities. She has been a member of Open Arms Shelter Advisory Board from 2006 to present, as the Treasurer in 2014 to 2015, the Vice Chairman in 2011 to 2013 and the Secretary in 2009 to 2010 for the Open Arms Shelter Advisory Board, Futuristic League member from 2004 to present, Futuristic League Secretary from 2006 to 2008, Lonoke Baptist Church member as Children’s Council in 2013 to 2015, and Nursery Committee in 2010 to 2013. Carlisle

Congratulations to the Petrus Family!

Elementary School Student Handbook Committee for 2013 to 2014 school year. Farm Bureau Women’s Committee in 2004 to 2005, First United Methodist Church

Mission Committee member in 2008 to 2009, Awanas from 2009 to present, Arkansas Pharmacists Association from 2004 to present, and Arkansas Pharmacists Association Policy

Committee on Organizational Affairs in 2004.

Luke and Lawson are very involved in church programs, basketball and baseball. They are honor See Page 3B LEGACY

Old aerial view of the Petrus Farm. They have added a new warehouse and office.

Thank you John Petrus Family for your continued business and congratulations for being selected as the 2016 Farm Family of the Year ELDER DRILLING & SUPPLY CO. INC. P.O. Box 1080 Carlisle, AR 72024

S & S Parts Co., Inc. Hwy 70 East · Carlisle, AR 870-552-7593

Don Elder 501-658-1824

(870) 552-7515 office (870) 552-3231 fax

Shane Elder 501-658-1814

Eric Stovesand 501-773-3658

Page 3B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Legacy

Lawson, Luke, and John standing in front of one of their Continued from 2B ing his first year of farmstudents at Carlisle ing was 236 acres. The Elementary School. Ella total acres currently operparticipates in dance and ated is 619 acres. He has gymnastics and will been farming for 20 begin Pre-K this fall. years.

CURRENT He farms 202 acres of OPERATIONS Rice with a 180 yield per John rents and is an acre, 165 acres of independent farm opera- Soybeans with a 55 yield tor. The total acres dur- per acre and 252 acres of

many reservoirs.

Corn with a 205 yield per acre.

He is part owner of the Enterprise: Petrus Seed and Grain Co., Inc. with production units of 30,000 bu of seed rice, 50,000 bu of seed beans, 40,000 bu of seed oats, 20,000 bu of seed wheat and 25,000 bu of deer corn.

John’s goal is to sell his crops through Petrus Seed and Grain.

They are then marketed through seed brokers, other seed dealers, ag retail stores, advertising in the Delta Farm Press, and direct sales to farmers. Some of his crops are sold to local grain mills. He also does some contract growing. His crops are priced using hedging on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, forward contracts and seasonal pools.

Petrus Seed and Grain was established in 1999 in order to diversify their farming operation. The seed company was founded on the idea that they would provide seed "from a farmer to a farmer." By following the guidelines of the State Plant Board, they have been able to establish a new market place. This family-owned business has grown to include seed, chemical, and fertilizer sales. They specialize in custom seed cleaning, treating, packaging and storage. They also offer contract growing and now have

200,000 bushels of grain bin storage and 20,000 square feet of warehouse storage. It gives him the opportunity to add value and receive a higher price for the crops he grows.

FUTURE GOALS John’s future goals are to improve the land by utilizing cost sharing programs through NRCS; find new markets for and add value to the crops we grow; work with Universities to produce off-patent seed; watch market trends to determine which commodities farmers will plant in the future; analyze my budget and continue searching for ways to reduce input costs; look for new ways to enter existing markets; and find new products to grow.

ACHIEVEMENTS He was recognized as 2013 Prairie County Conservation Farmer of the Year. He has gained access to water and can more efficiently water crops; increased profitability and decreased input costs; produce, condition and resell seed

through Petrus Seed and Grain for a premium; and strengthened the farm for future generations To overcome ground water shortage, they have built reservoirs and installed relifts. he has addressed inefficient watering methods by using more surface water, learning how to better use poly pipe, and land leveling. When he began farming, he relied heavily on the advice of others, but he has learned to think more independently and analyze situations, then make decisions based on my research.

He farms a small number of acres, so it was important to find new ways to be more profitable. He began growing seed crops which can be sold for a premium. He did not own custom application equipment, so he had to purchase fertilizer and chemicals from retail stores that offered custom application. Throughout the years, he has purchased a fertilizer buggy and pull type spray rig, which See Page 4B FUTURE

Congratulations John, Kristel, Luke, Lawson and Ella

for being selected as the Prairie County 2016 Farm Family of the Year

Petrus Seed & Grain Co., Inc. Robert and Terry Petrus

4100 Hanson Rd. Hazen, AR 72064 Office: 870.255.3346 Cell: 870.672.1930

Would like to extend their best wishes to the John Petrus Family.

Congratulations on being named the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year!

Page 4B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Future Continued from 3B allows him to buy these inputs from wholesale stores and save money.

John plans to continue working with the UofA Division of Agriculture and Extension with projects that bring new products to markets, test current farming practices, and use new technology.

He is interested in rent-

ing more land and purchasing land.

He also wants to continue to increase grain storage and level more farm land. He will continue to update farm equipment, as well as invest in new seed cleaning equipment.

This will improve the quality of our seed and increase the amount of seed we are able to clean

and package. He is most excited about teaching my children about farming and the future of this business.

They utilize crop and chemical rotation in order to conserve soil, as well as have 15 feet berms with drop pipes around most fields to reduce erosion.

They conserve ground water by partici-

Jackie, Robert, John and Kristel Petrus awarded their Conservation Farmer of the Year for 2013 plaques by Paul Betzner and the Prairie County Conservation District Board of Directors on February 27, 2014. pating in programs also use polypipe to row my first farm loan through NRCS to build water all soybean and through FHA the year he reservoirs and tail water corn fields. This allows graduated high school ditches, which allows us us to use the proper and rented land and to store large amounts of amount of water and equipment to begin farmrain water to water our reduce the time it takes ing as he worked my way crops throughout the to water these crops com- through college.

After summer.

Instead of pared to levee watering. graduating from ASU watering our crops with HOW HE STARTED Jonesboro with a expensive ground water, FARMING Bachelor of Science in we use relifts to pump John grew up in a farm Agriculture in 1998, he surface water from the family and have always returned home to Carlisle reservoirs, which uses had the desire to have a to join in the family farm much less energy. We career in farming. He got business full-time.

Congratulations to The John Petrus Family

The 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year Best Wishes From Frank and Susan Lisko

Best Wishes to the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year The John Petrus Family

Best Wishes and Congratulations to

The John Petrus Family on being named the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year

The Rieke Firm, PLLC Hwy 70 Hazen, AR Ph. 255-3551

Highway 70 East Hazen, Arkansas 72064 (870) 255-3523

Congratulations John and Kristel Petrus the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year Lonoke County Co-Op PO Box 240, Lonoke, AR 72086 - (870) 552-7538

Page 5B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Favorite Family Recipes The following are family and holiday favorites.

These recipes have been passed down and some are new recipes that Kristel has found to be fast and family friendly during their busy work week!

BIG MAMA'S CHEESE ROLL 1 lb medium cheddar cheese, grated (don't use ready-to-use grated) 1 (8oz) cream cheese, softened 1 clove garlic, chopped fine Pecans, chopped fine Paprika Cheeses should be room temperature to mix well.

Mix first 4 ingredients by hand until well blended.

Put in fridge 15-20 minutes. Divide into 3 or 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into 1 inch rolls.

Sprinkle generously with paprika and use hands to spread evenly. Roll in wax paper, then foil.

Refrigerate, can keep about 2 weeks. She used Ritz crackers to serve.

AUNT PHYLLIS'S ROTINI SALAD 1 (12oz) package Rainbow rotini- cooked, cooled Italian Salad Dressing to taste

Add chopped veggies: celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, red bell pepper, broccoli Cheddar cheese-cut into small bites Crab Delites (imitation king crab meat, not canned) McCormick's Salad Supreme Seasoning, to taste Mix all ingredients and chill.

TERRY'S SQUASH CASSEROLE 6 medium squash, sliced ½ cup chopped onion 1 can cream of mushroom soup 2 T margarine ¾ cup cracker crumbs Grated cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook squash and onion in small amount of water until soft. Drain well in colander.

Put back in pan you cooked it in and add margarine.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Spray baking dish with Pam. Layer squash and onion with mushroom soup then crackers 3 times. Bake 30-45 minutes. Top with cheese the last few minutes until melted.

BAKED STUFFED MUSHROOMS 1 pound large mush-

Congratulations to

The John Petrus Family

rooms ½ stick butter ½ tsp garlic salt ¼ tsp pepper 1 tsp parsley 2 T seasoned bread crumbs 2 T grated mozzarella cheese Wash the mushrooms well, remove stems and chop the stems fine.

Saute the stems in 2 Tbs butter.

Sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper.

Add parsley and bread crumbs to make a light stuffing. Fill the mushroom caps with the stuffing. Melt remaining butter in baking dish. Place stuffed mushroom caps in melted butter. Sprinkle

caps with cheese and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.

Do not overcook. Cheese should be melted and lightly browned.

CHEESE RING WITH STRAWBERRY PRESERVES 1 cup finely chopped pecans ¾ cup mayonnaise ½ tsp hot sauce 1 garlic clove, minced 2 (8-oz) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated ½ cup strawberry preserves Assorted crackers Garnishes: chopped toasted pecans, fresh strawberries Preheat oven to 350

Congratulations and Best Wishes to

The John Petrus Family

For being selected on being named the the 2016 Prairie 2016 Prairie County County Farm Family Farm Family of the Year of the Year Prairie Farmers Association Farmers Express Hwy 70 E Hazen, AR Hwy 70 W Hazen, AR 870-255-2255 870-255-4815

Farmer Owned and Operated

Congratulations to

The John Petrus Family

Prairie County's Farm Family of the Year 2016

It is our continued pleasure to serve the finest farmers in the world, the farmers of the Grand Prairie.

Prairie County Farm Bureau Hazen Ave., Hazen, AR Phone 870-255-4596

1109 Hwy 70 E. Hazen, AR 870-2255-44679

degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8-10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

Cool 15 minutes.

Stir together mayo and next 2 ingredients.

Stir in pecans and cheese. Spoon mixture into a plastic wrap-lined 4 cup ring mold with a 2 ½ inch center. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Unmold cheese ring onto a serving platter. Discard plastic wrap, and fill center of ring with preserves.

Serve with crackers. Garnish, if desired.

CREAMY PORK TENDERLOIN 2 pork tenderloins, about 1 lb each 1 egg 1 T water ½ tsp dried rosemary, crushed ¼ tsp pepper Dash garlic powder 1 cup Italian-seasoned dry bread crumbs 3 T cooking oil 2 T butter or margarine 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream ¼ cup chicken broth Cut each tenderloin into eight pieces. Place each piece between two pieces of plastic wrap or waxed

paper and flatten to ¾ inch thickness. In a shallow dish, combine the next five ingredients. Dip pork into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs.

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown pork in oil for 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a 13x9 dish; keep warm. In the same skillet, stir in soup, sour cream and broth; pour over pork.

Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until pork is tender.

Serve with rice.

BBQ ROUND STEAK 2 tsp salt ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp chili powder 2 T sugar ½ tsp barbecue sauce ½ cup fine cut onions 1 ½ cup ketchup 1 cup water ¼ cup vinegar 1 T Worcestershire Cut round steak into serving size pieces. Mix ingredients above and add meat. Put in glass dish, leave uncovered and bake 1 & ½ hour at 350 degrees.

MRS. ANGIE'S CUMIN RICE 1 medium onion, chopped See Page 6B RECIPES

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year The John Petrus Family

Grand Prairie Veterinary Service Charles J. Dulany, DVM Clinic 870-255-0022 Emergency 870-552-6025 304 S. Chester Hazen, AR 72064

Page 6B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Recipes Continued from Page 5B ¼ cup green pepper, diced fine 2 T bacon grease 1 cup uncooked rice 1 can (13 3/4oz) chicken broth (or 4 bouillon cubes & 3 cups water) ½ tsp powdered cumin Saute onion and green pepper in bacon grease until golden brown. Add other ingredients. Cover with lid and steam for 20 minutes on low heat, or put in casserole and cover with foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until rice is done.

CHERRY NUT SURPRISE 1 can cherry pie filling 1 (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained 1 white cake mix 1 stick margarine 1 cup pecans Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 9x13 Pyrex casserole dish with Pam. Pour pie filling first, then pineapple, then cake mix-cover with margarine slices. Bake for 30 minutes. Take out and cover with pecans.

Return to oven and bake 10 minutes. Cool before serving.

CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST BAKE ¼ cup butter, melted 2 cans Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls 6 eggs ½ cup heavy whipping cream 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp vanilla 1 cup maple syrup Garnish: icing from cinnamon rolls, ½ cup maple syrup, pecans, powdered sugar Heat oven to 375

degrees. Pour melted butter into ungreased 13x9 inch glass baking dish.

Separate both cans of dough into 16 rolls; set

icing aside. Cut each roll into 8 pieces; place pieces over butter in dish. In medium bowl, beat eggs.

Beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended; gently pour over roll pieces. Drizzle with 1 cup syrup. Bake 20-28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, remove covers from icing; microwave on medium (50%) 10-15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle icing over top; sprinkle with powdered sugar. If desired, spoon syrup from dish over individual servings. Serve with the additional ½ cup maple syrup.

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS Place thawed chicken breast tenderloin strips in a bowl of milk. Let soak for 20-30 minutes. Mix in a gallon Ziploc or large bowl:

½ tsp salt 1 T SeasonAll ¾ tsp pepper 1 cup flour 2 tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut ½ stick of butter into a few pieces and place in a 9x13 pan.

Melt butter in pre-heated oven. Spread melted butter around the bottom of the pan. Lightly spray the pan, if needed, to make sure there are no dry spots. Shake excess milk off of chicken and completely coat each piece with the seasoning mix.

You can either shake the chicken in the bag, until coated, or dip each piece in the bowl. Place chicken in the pan and cook for 20 minutes. Turn each piece of chicken and continue cooking for 20 more minutes or until cooked through.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN 5 cups rotisserie chicken, deboned 1 cup sour cream 2 cans condensed cream

of chicken soup 2 cups crushed Ritz Crackers ½ cup melted butter 1 T poppy seeds 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp celery salt 1 tsp minced garlic 1 T lemon juice ¼ tsp pepper 3 cups cooked rice Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer chicken in a 9x13 casserole dish.

Stir together the condensed soup, sour cream, Worcestershire, celery salt, garlic, lemon juice and pepper. Pour over the chicken. In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle the poppy seeds on top. Bake for 2030 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the casserole is browned and the sauce is bubbly. Serve plain or over rice.

OVEN BAKED CHICKEN FAJITAS 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 2 T vegetable oil 2 tsp chili powder 2 tsp cumin

½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp dried oregano ¼ tsp salt 1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 medium onion, sliced 1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place chicken strips in a greased 13x9 baking dish. In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano and salt.

Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat. Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine.

Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Serve on tortillas with desired toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

MEXICAN RICE 1 cup uncooked rice 2 cups chicken broth 1 T butter ½ cup salsa 1 tsp garlic salt 1 tsp taco seasoning Bring all ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 2025 minutes. Great alternative to an overpriced

box mix!

THE KID'S FAVORITE FRUIT SALAD 1 pt container strawberries 1 pt container blueberries 1 bunch seedless grapes ¼ cup honey Juice from 2 limes (about 2-3 tablespoons) Rinse and gently pat dry the fruit. Hull strawberries, then cut in halves or quarters. Remove stems from blueberries and remove grapes from stems. Gently combine all three in a large bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together honey and lime juice.

Pour over fruit and refrigerate until ready to serve.

JOHN'S STEAK BUTTER 2 sticks of butter, room temperature 4-5 cloves roasted garlic, smashed 1 T shallot, minced 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped fine 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped fine 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped fine 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp cracked black pepper

Congratulations

John Petrus Family 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year

Congratulations to the John Petrus Family

Congratulations and best wishes

for being selected 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year!

to

The John Petrus Family for being honored as the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year Dondie's White River Princess Des Arc, AR (870) 256-3311 Join us for a great time at your next outing!

Greenway Equipment, Inc. Des Arc, AR 1806 West Main Des Arc, AR 72040

Page 7B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Trucks, Tractors and Tradition

Three generations: John, Lawson, Luke and Robert.

Congratulations to

the JOhn Petrus Family for being selected 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the year!!!

Hazen Florist and Gifts 114 N. Livermore Hazen, AR 870-255-4611

Congratulations to the

John Petrus Family on being named

John and Aaron with their Dad, Robert.

Congratulations

to to the John and Kristel John Petrus Petrus Family Family for being for being selected selected as the as the 2016 2016 Prairie Prairie County County Farm Farm Family of Family of the Year the Year Keith’s Auto A &M Flying Service Carlisle, AR 870-552-3474

Congratulations to the John Petrus Family for being chosen the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year. Best Wishes from all of us at The Prescription Shop.

2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year

The Prescription Shop

115 N Livermore Street Hazen, AR 72064

Livermore Street Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: 870-255-4403

Westbrook Funeral Home

Congratulations

Repair

1399 N Bankhead, Carlisle, AR 72024 (870) 552-7300

Congratulations to the

John Petrus Family 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year 109 S. Livermore Hazen, AR 72064 Ph. 870-255-2332

Congratulations Congratulations

to the John Petrus Family on being selected the 2016 Prairie County 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year Farm Family of the Year From all of us at

Craig's BBQ

DeValls Bluff, AR 870-998-2616 Jerry and Joyce Surratt

Wishing The John Petrus Family The Best of Luck!

Prairie County Judge Mike Skarda

Page 8B - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Congratulations to John, Kristel, Luke, Lawson and Ella Petrus

Congratulations

to the John Petrus Family for being chosen as 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year www.herald-publishing.com

111 Hwy 70 East - Hazen, AR Phone 870-255-4538

Congratulations to the John Petrus Family for being selected as 2016 Farm Family of the Year

Congrats to the 2016 Prairie County Farm Family of the Year The John & Kristel Petrus Family 700 E Park St. Carlisle, AR 72024 Frank Elder 501-658-1828

Clay Elder 501-454-8855

Phone: (870) 552-7010

MATT BOYLES

121 W. Front St. Lonoke, AR 501-676-5900 Securities and Investment Advisor Services Offered Through Girard Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, Grand Prairie Financial is not a Subsidiary of Girard Securities Inc. AR INS LIC #9046370