Farmers recognized during Sikeston chamber’s banquet

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat Tristan Duff speaks as his brother Hunter Duff looks on Wednesday, March 6 at the annual Sikeston Regional Chamber Farmer’s Recognition Banquet at the Sikeston Jaycees Sponsorship Barn. Duff Farms of Sikeston received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

SIKESTON — Individuals who have made contributions to the regional agricultural community were recognized Wednesday, March 6 at the annual Sikeston Regional Chamber Farmer’s Recognition Banquet at the Sikeston Jaycees Sponsorship Barn.

Hunter Duff and Tristan Duff of Duff Farms of Sikeston received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award while John Bollinger of Sikeston was selected as Agricultural Leader of the Year.

Outstanding Young Farmer Award

According to Sikeston Jaycee President Hunter Crowley, the Duff brothers are deeply committed to the community. 

“They regularly volunteer to help with worship services and work events at Tanner Street Church of God,” Crowley said. “They’ve also been an asset to the rodeo in helping us launch our mutton-busting event two years ago.”

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat John Bollinger of Sikeston speaks after receiving the Agricultural Leader of the Year Award Wednesday, March 6 at the annual Sikeston Regional Chamber Farmer’s Recognition Banquet.

Both Duff brothers are Southeast Missouri State University graduates who inherited a love of farming from their grandfather and founded their business in 2020 to carry on the family legacy.

The Duff brothers grow wheat, corn and beans; they also bale peanut hay and sell individually packaged beef cuts to regional customers.

“As members of a new generation of farmers, this years’ Outstanding Young Farmers hope to use their respect for family tradition, dedication to agriculture and passion for livestock to grow their family business,” Crowley said.

According to Crowley, the Duff brothers are committed to the region and want their work to have a positive impact on the local agriculture and livestock industries.

“We just want to thank ya’ll for this award and thank our family who supports us all the time. We couldn’t do it without our family, and we just want to thank the Jaycees and the chamber,” Tristan Duff said. 

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corp. CEO Marcie Lawson speaks during the annual Sikeston Regional Chamber Farmer’s Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Sikeston Jaycees Sponsorship Barn.

Agricultural Leader Award

Brad Nash, last year’s winner of the Agricultural Leader of the Year, said Bollinger grew up in Sikeston and graduated from Sikeston High School in 1992. Bollinger participated in swimming, soccer and baseball while at school. Bollinger was also involved in his church youth group and the Boy Scouts. 

He earned his Eagle Scout Badge while in Scouts by participating in several high adventure trips, including the Boundary Waters and Philmont Scout Ranch.

Bollinger went to Arkansas State University after high school and graduated with a degree in zoology in 1996. Bollinger also completed the Army ROTC program and was promoted to regular Army 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the Medical Service Corps from 1996 to 2000 and was discharged as a captain.

Jennifer Moxley gives the invocation at the Sikeston Regional Chamber Farmer's Recognition Banquet.

“He then moved back to his hometown and joined the family business,” said Nash. “He obtained his real estate broker’s license and state-certified general appraiser licenses in Missouri and Illinois. He is active in selling real estate and appraises agricultural and commercial properties in most counties in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.”

Nash said while Bollinger is not directly involved in farming, he has had the opportunity to purchase farmland which is leased to some outstanding farmers in the area.

Bollinger has coached youth soccer, baseball and softball and frequently volunteers at swim meets. According to Nash, Bollinger is involved in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, having served on the parish council and the school board.

Bollinger currently serves on the executive board of directors of Missouri Delta Medical Center. He has been a member of the Sikeston Rotary Club since 2000, where he has served on several committees and held various offices, including President.

“His dad, Michael Bollinger, received this award in 1995,” Nash said of Bollinger. “I’m honored to present the 2024 Agriculture Leader of the Year, John Bollinger.”