The Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau® proudly presented this year’s Ag Service Award to Jerry Painter. Jerry was born March 22, 1939, in Monmouth. He graduated from Monmouth High School in 1957 and was a mechanic until he went into the National Guard, where he served from 1962-1968. He married Linda Cavanaugh in 1963 and together they have two sons, Todd and Tim, who are both in the industry with Jerry.
Jerry was the manager of Cavanaugh Farm Equipment from 1962-1966 until he purchased the business and started Painter Farm equipment in 1966, which he has owned and operated ever since. Painter Farm Equipment has several lines of agriculture equipment, including New Holland, Kinze, Versatile, Bush Hog, Landoll, and Friesen. Jerry attended trade schools in Detroit, Memphis, Phoenix, and Saskatoon to learn about the equipment that they sell and service.
When asked his favorite part of working in the ag industry, Jerry stated, “working with and for the farmers for the last 60 years. I believe farming isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. No matter what part of the agricultural industry you are in, this is true. No one part can be done without the other.” As for where Jerry sees agriculture heading in the next decades, he said he, “believes the agricultural industry is headed in the way of autonomy, AI, more people using precision equipment, and more corporations getting involved.”
One of Jerry’s favorite ag stories to share is about a trip he took to Brazil for a two-week agricultural tour. The trip included visiting many farms and learning about their crops and what equipment they use. They also visited several different dealerships to see how they operate. The highlight of the trip was spending two days with the Secretary of Ag of the Mato Grosso Region. Jerry also stated that some other enjoyable parts of being involved in agriculture are the opportunities to take people on different trips. He has chartered planes and taken groups of farmers to Ford Motor Company in Detroit, a Memphis, Tennessee training farm and to a combine factory in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Outside of the agriculture world, Jerry is a busy man with many hobbies. A self-described favorite hobby of his in past years was to prank employees and friends. Jerry enjoys collecting cars and going to car shows with them. He earned his pilot’s license in 1974 and has owned several planes and even built a helicopter. Jerry also enjoys traveling, having been to all 50 states and five continents.
Jerry has spent the great majority of his life working with and for area farmers, doing his best to provide good equipment and solid service, especially during spring and fall, when patience seems to run a little thinner. We are honored to present this year’s Ag Service Award to Jerry Painter.
The Ag Service Award is an annual award Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau® started giving out in 1992. It is awarded to an individual who has been a great supporter of agriculture and given unselfishly to help others in the agricultural field. Past recipients of this award include Curt Eisenmayer, Jim McCurdy, John Allaman, Ernest Robinson, Evelyn Shimmin, Herb Allen, Pauline Winbigler, Russell & Maxine Stewart, Wendell Shauman, Hugh Winbigler, Larry Dowell, Leon Martin, Ray Defenbaugh, Tom Peterson, Ken Nimrick, Jim & Cecil Lovdahl, Russ Mason, the Twomey Family, Ron & Deb Moore, Ron Blotna, Don & Carole Earp, Vanessa Wetterling, Mark Phillipson, Carol Ricketts, Rob Elliott, Don McIntyre, Lynn Shimmin, and Jim Missavage.
***Courtesy of Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Manager Gina Sanberg***
