Merrick Farms to be celebrated at GWC 2025 Salute to Ag Dinner

Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County and the Salute to Ag committee are thrilled to announce the Merrick family as the 2024 Farm Family of the Year. The family will be honored at the 2025 Salute to Agriculture Dinner on Wednesday, March 5.

Merrick Farms has been growing and producing in Wabash County since 1835 when Isaac Merrick first began farming on land still owned by the family today. Today, Rod and Kyle Merrick are the seventh generation of Merricks to farm on the land.

“Grow Wabash County is proud to honor another outstanding producer as the 2024 Farm Family of the Year – Rod and Kyle Merrick,” Howard Halderman, Salute to Ag Committee Chair, said. “They are leaders in sustainable row crop production practices, winning multiple awards for their work to preserve soil and enhance the environment.  They are diverse, producing livestock and row crops that help feed people across Indiana, the U.S. and the world.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be Dr. Fred Whitford, Clinical Engagement Professor at Purdue University. In keeping with the event’s celebration of the Merrick family’s multi-generational legacy of farming, Whitford will speak on farm history.  

“Agriculture is such a key part of Wabash County’s economy and history,” Tenille Zartman, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, said. “With over 635 farms covering 186,071 acres, agriculture significantly contributes to our local economy. It is always an honor every year to celebrate our local agriculture producers during National Agriculture Month, and we look forward to doing so again this year for Merrick Farms.”

The 2025 Salute to Ag Dinner will take place on Wednesday, March 5, starting at 6 p.m. at the Wabash First United Methodist Church, 110 North Cass Street in Wabash.  

Tickets are $35 each for GWC Investors and $50 for non-investors. Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $100 to our $2,500 Platinum Sponsorship. Registration can be done online or by contacting Grow Wabash County via email, jana@growwabashcounty.com , or by calling 260-563-5258.

The deadline to register is Monday, February 24.