CHAMOIS — Paulsmeyer Farms of Chamois has been selected as the 2026 Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award recipient, an honor presented annually by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation to recognize exemplary natural resource management and long-term commitment to agricultural stewardship. The award was announced on Nov. 12 during the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture in Columbia.

The Paulsmeyer operation spans 3,500 acres of Missouri River bottom ground and upland fields in Osage County. Managed by multiple generations of the extended family—Roger and Duane Paulsmeyer, Matt, Alex, Ben, and Eli Paulsmeyer, and Marty and Grayson Gerloff—the farm produces corn, soybeans, and commercial cattle. The award committee cited the family’s blend of traditional principles and modern technology, long-standing conservation ethic, and multi-generational approach to land management.

According to the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, the award is intended to highlight farm families who consistently demonstrate exceptional care for soil, water, and livestock resources. Ashley McCarty, the organization’s executive director, said the Paulsmeyer family exemplifies the qualities the program seeks to elevate. “Generations of Paulsmeyers have exemplified the best of Missouri agriculture with their respect for the land, commitment to innovation, and dedication to family and community,” she said. “Their stewardship honors the past and invests in the future. Paulsmeyer Farms embodies Missouri agriculture which is rooted in legacy, driven by innovation, and focused on sustainability.”

State commodity organizations that partner in the award program also credited the family with leadership in conservation-oriented farming. Patrick Seyer, chairman of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, said, “The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council proudly congratulates Paulsmeyer Farms on this well-earned honor. Their commitment to improving soil health, resource conservation, and innovation reflects some of the best of Missouri agriculture. Through their efforts, the Paulsmeyer family is proving stewardship isn’t just a slogan and agriculture plays a key role in strengthening our communities.”

Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council chairman Mark Lehenbauer noted the critical role private landowners play in resource stewardship. With 93% of Missouri land privately owned and roughly 27 million acres in agricultural use, he said the state’s farmers take seriously their responsibility for long-term land and water health. “In agriculture, our greatest resource is the land, and as farmers, it is our duty to be good stewards of that land for future generations,” Lehenbauer said. “Sustainability is one of the top priorities for our organization, and it’s outstanding to see the spotlight on farm families who are truly living the example of stewardship.”

Partners supporting the award include the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, The Poultry Federation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, FCS Financial, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program, and The Nature Conservancy.

Blake Rollins, executive vice president of The Poultry Federation, said the Paulsmeyer family’s reputation for responsibility runs deep. “Paulsmeyer Farms exemplifies what the Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award is all about,” Rollins said. “For generations, the Paulsmeyer family has embraced innovation, practiced excellent stewardship, and left their land better than they found it. Their commitment to caring for both their land and their livestock makes them a deserving recipient of the 2026 Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award.”

The story of the family operation stretches back nearly two centuries in the Missouri River bottoms. Paulsmeyer ancestors planted their first crop there in 1837, and later put down roots near Chamois in the 1880s. The press release describes fourth-generation farmer Arthur Paulsmeyer, Sr.’s approach to the land as a guiding legacy that still shapes decisions today, from crop selection to soil and water management. The modern farm, while technologically advanced, continues to prioritize long-term stewardship and generational continuity.

Chamois sophomore Grayson Gerloff, who represents the next wave of Paulsmeyers preparing to step into leadership roles, said the recognition underscores the family’s enduring values. “The 2026 Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award recognizes the hard work and dedication of our family through the generations. Our farm can serve as an example for others to follow,” said Gerloff, who plans to be an eighth-generation farmer working the same river-bottom ground.

Innovation has played a significant role in the farm’s evolution. The family uses drones to reduce water usage and soil compaction and to deliver precise crop protection applications. Track implements minimize soil disturbance in the bottoms, while auto-steer and auto-path technologies contribute to fuel efficiency and reduce overlap in field operations. Their cattle operation employs rotational grazing, which supports forage recovery and improves biodiversity. Family members say these practices were developed through a research-oriented mindset rather than by following trends, with a focus on efficiency, precision, and environmental protection.

Ben Paulsmeyer said the push toward efficiency was born partly out of necessity. “Our uncles wanted us to come back to the family farm, but there wasn’t room to support us,” he said.

Reducing inputs and the need for mechanization helped trim costs, but it also meant fewer family members were required for day-to-day work—raising concerns about succession opportunities for the next generation. To address that challenge, the brothers expanded into produce production.

In 2010, acres were dedicated to a diversified produce enterprise known as Boys From Chamois, run by Ben, Alex, and Eli. What began as Ben’s childhood project now includes cantaloupe, sweet corn, pumpkins, seeded and seedless watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, and onions. A high tunnel extended the growing season, and the roadside market has become a well-known stop for fresh produce.

The Missouri River itself remains one of the greatest variables in the operation. The family notes that river-bottom farming requires a deep understanding of soil types, water movement, and flood patterns. Ben described this generational knowledge as essential to survival in an environment where flooding is inevitable rather than hypothetical. “Soil stewardship is more than just what crop we plant, what inputs we choose, or what machines we use,” he said. “Stewardship is also understanding what our soil is made of and where our fields lay in relation to how the river moves. Our decisions about how and where we plant are based on our family’s generational knowledge of how the river runs, where it rushes versus where it rises through the timber, and where it swirls back. It’s not a matter of if it will flood, but when it will flood and how much.”

A video profile of the Paulsmeyer family and their operation is available at mofarmerscare.com/agstewardshipaward/.