Kruse reflects on lifetime in agricutlure after being named to Missouri Agriculture Hall of Fame

Two decades ago, Charlie Kruse of Dexter shared that agriculture had been a cultivating force in all aspects of his life.

This summer, the fourth-generation Stoddard County farmer was recognized in the inaugural class of the Missouri Agriculture Hall of Fame.

“As a boy that grew up on a farm. I never thought I’d do anything but farm,” Kruse said. “I’ve been so blessed in my career. Then to be named one of the first five people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, it’s really a special thing for me.”

Kruse calls the honor “unbelievable.”

“I’ve been very blessed and had a wonderful career and been involved in agriculture my whole life. I never even thought, that someday I might be in the Agriculture Hall of Fame, but it’s really something I’m very, very proud of. I really was excited when I found out I was going to be one of the first five inductees,” he said.

There are many people to thank, he said.

“I’ve absolutely realized your success depends on the people around you,” he said. “I’ve been so blessed in everything I’ve done: director of Agriculture, president of Missouri Farm Bureau, National Guard career and all the other things. I have been so blessed to have so many really, really great people around me. I would never have accomplished what I did had I not had people like that around me helping me.”

Kruse is quick to praise his wife, Pam. The couple has been together for more than 50 years.

“All the time I was doing all this stuff, she was here not only raising our family but also running the farming operations. So I’ve been very, very blessed,” Kruse said.

Gov. Michael Parson and his wife, Teresa, hosted a reception at the governor’s mansion for the recipients and families. There was a dinner and a program in Jefferson City, which Kruse described as “really done well and the five of us were inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

The other 2024 inductees include William H. Darr of Springfield, Jay Fischer of Jefferson City, Blake and Julie Hurst of Tarkio and Forrest and Charlotte Lucas of Cross Timbers. Their selection was made through a special committee with the Missouri State Fair Foundation.

Kruse explained whatever his profession was during his career, one of the things he and his wife enjoyed was getting to meet people and make friends.

“There were so many people at this banquet, some I hadn’t seen for several years and some I see pretty often,” he said. “It was like old home week getting to see all these people and catch up. It was very well done. “

Kruse is a graduate of Dexter High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Arkansas State University and a master’s degree in plant genetics from the University of Missouri. He spent 26 years in the National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general. He served on the University of Missouri Board of Curators as Missouri director of agriculture and as president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. He served on the board and executive committee of the American Farm Bureau. He received the highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award in 2012.

“My dad made me work on the farm,” Kruse said. “I thought at the time my dad was really mean to me for making me work. I look back now and I’m so thankful he taught me how to work right.”

“The trophy is beautiful,” Kruse said. “None of them will ever be sold. The only people who will have these will be people who are inducted into the Missouri Agriculture Hall of Fame.”

The hand-sculptured piece given to the honorees was made by Missouri artist Clay Gant featuring a Missouri bull named, Curley, wheat and corn.

Kruse also accepted the Distinguished Service Award in 2012 from the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Taste of the South Award in February from Sen. Jason Bean.

The Kruse family includes son, Scott, who is the principal of Dexter Middle School, his wife Kerri, and their two daughters, Addie and Andie. Son Ben died in an ATV accident at age. 28.