1996 Meritorious Service Award

Joann Locke Pipkin, Republic

Joann Locke Pipkin was born Nov. 7, 1969, in Cheyenne, Wyo., but grew up on a dairy farm near Halfway in Polk County. While on the farm she was involved in milking, raising calves, and general farm work. She is a former member of the Missouri Holstein Association.

As a high school student Joann was active in FFA and served as secretary of the Missouri State FFA Association in 1988-89. She is currently editor of the Missouri FFA magazine.

She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1992 with a degree in agricultural communications.

Joann is now farm news director of KTTS Radio in Springfield. As a broadcast professional, she is a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and is a past editor of CHATS, the Association’s newsletter. Joann is also a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

The agricultural communicator also writes a column for the Springfield News­Leader. Her column-The Back 40-appears on the Farming and Ranching Today page of the newspaper’s Sunday edition.

She continues to be active in agricultural production. She and her husband Jim, along with his family, are involved in the operation of Clearwater Angus Farm near Springfield. She maintains membership in the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

In addition to her professional activities, Joann is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and is immediate past chair of the Agribusiness Committee.

Joann is a member of the Bolivar First Baptist Church and is a former member of the Greene County 4-H Foundation.

As a professional agricultural communicator, Joann is a positive voice for agriculture not only in southwest Missouri but also the state and Midwest.