By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service
A Riley County couple is among six Kansas couples who will be honored later this month as part of the 2023 Kansas Master Farmers and Homemakers.
Andrea and Hugo DeJesus, own and operate A&H Farms in Manhattan and operate four farmer markets and a farm store, with the goal of having crops growing 350 days a year.
The agri-tourism side of the operation has grown immensely since it began in 2010. In 2022, A & H Farms had more than 25,000 visitors to their farm store or activities. Produce is sold directly to consumers through farmers markets, Farm to Table boxes or the farm store. In 2020, A & H began supplying produce for the Farmers’ Feeding Families Food Boxes Program and local food banks and schools in Kansas.
Raising her family on the farm, Andrea says her children work on the farm, in the farm store and at farmers markets and have the knowledge of where their food comes from at an early age.
The couple will be recognized at a March 22 program at the Manhattan Conference Center. The statewide program is in its 97th year and is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer Magazine.
The other couples to be honored are as follows:
- Tim and Robyn Raile, Cheyenne County (Sunflower Extension District).
- Conrad and Donna Trost, Republic County (River Valley Extension District).
- Douglas and Stacey Keas, Rooks County.
- Ken and Patricia Stielow, Russell County (Midway Extension District).
- Kenton and Deb, Michael and Ladonne Weltmer, Smith County (Post Rock Extension District).
