Five outstanding Illinois farmers will be recognized as 2026 Master Farmers by Prairie Farmer magazine on March 12 in Bloomington, Illinois. The prestigious award, given for over a century, honors excellence in agriculture, family commitment, and community service.
Among this year’s honorees, Doug Winter of Mill Shoals stands out. A fifth-generation farmer, Doug will plant his family’s 157th crop this spring on land purchased in 1869. Alongside his wife Nancy, Doug has grown their farm from 60 acres and 70 Polled Herefords in 1975 to 3,200 acres of corn and soybeans today. Their focus on conservation includes no-till and cover crops on most fields, buffer strips, and runoff monitoring to protect local waterways. Doug is also known for embracing innovation—adopting precision ag technologies, exploring drone applications, and educating the next generation through family “Ag 101” classes.
Doug’s leadership goes beyond the farm. He’s represented Illinois soybean growers in 26 countries, hosted global buyers, and pioneered virtual outreach with the U.S. Soy live cam. His lifelong dedication to agriculture continues to shape both his community and international markets.
Other 2026 Master Farmers are Steve Hettinger (Philo), Mike and Lynn Martz (Maple Park), and Mike Pratt (Dixon). Mark Gebhards, a retired Illinois Farm Bureau leader, has been named Honorary Master Farmer.
Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmer award is considered Illinois agriculture’s lifetime achievement honor. Since 1925, more than 300 producers have been recognized for their business success and community leadership.
Learn more about the 2026 Master Farmers in Prairie Farmer’s March issue or at PrairieFarmer.com. To nominate a candidate for 2027, contact holly.spangler@farmprogress.com.