Medaryville farmer, Derrick Stalbaum, is the recipient of Farm Credit Mid-America’s Forward Thinker Award.
According to a release issued by Farm Credit Mid-America, the honor is given each year to a young or beginning farmer who exemplifies outstanding leadership, community involvement and implementation of unique practices that drive the growth of his or her farming operation and the industry as a whole.
Stalbaum is a fifth-generation farmer and a third-generation pork producer.
In 2022, Stalbaum and his wife made significant investments into the farm, which grew the operation to its current capacity of 30,000 pigs and made it possible to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps of farming full time. Stalbaum’s farm also produces and markets corn, soybeans, alfalfa and mint. He recently diversified his livestock with the addition of Boer Goats.
Stalbaum is also involved in his community with a number of civic and agricultural leadership positions, which include the Indiana Pork Association, Indiana School Board Association, North Judson-San Pierre School Board where he serves as president, and the Pulaski County Zoning Board.
Forward Thinker Award recipients are recognized at one of the cooperative’s Know to Grow conferences. They also receive $5,000 and a personalized plaque.
