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Twenty-six members of the Killen family of Felton attended the Kent County Farm Bureau’s annual banquet Sept. 24 where the they were honored as KCFB 2018 Farm Family of the Year. Retired veterinarian Dr. Ruthie Franczek received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

Gregg Knutsen presented the Killen family history. Edgar Killen began the Killen farm with dairy cows, horses and grain crops. His son, Lester, continued the operation. He and his wife, Catherine, had 11 children: Robin, Eleanor, Connie, Faye, Ellen, Peggy, Nancy, Bobby, Donald, Tom and Roy.

Bobby, the eighth child and oldest boy, began farming with his father as he grew up, helping with the dairy cows as he farmed some on his own.

When their father retired in 1979, three of the boys, Donald and Tom, formed Killen Brothers Farms. Roy, who works for the state of Delaware, farms in his spare time.

Killen Brothers sold off the dairy cows in 1983 and replaced them with beef cattle. They also bought viners for harvesting lima beans which they grew, along with peas, for King Cole.

Donald’s son, Cody, was only 12 when he began working on the farm. He joined the operation full time after graduating from high school. After Tom and Donald passed away, Bobby and Cody managed Killen Brothers, with the help of younger family members, including Billy and Roy Killen, Daniel Dickerson, and Matt and Michael Dill.

Cody’s aunts are also part owners, responsible for feeding the whole crew at lunch and making cookie deliveries during harvest season.

After 35 years, the cow-calf operation numbers about 80 head of cattle. Thirty-six calves were born this year. Corn, soybeans, wheat and lima beans are produced on about 2,000 acres of ground.

The Killens have always been active in community affairs. Donald Killen was a chief engineer and Life Member of the Felton Fire Company. Bobby Killen, also a Life Member of the fire department, serves on the FSA board and Delaware State Fair Board and is a Kent County Conservation Chairman.

Bruce Dempsey introduced the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award winner.

Born in Utica, N.Y., Franczek was one of four daughters of Henry and Julie Franczek, who instilled in their children the importance of having a professional career. After the family moved to Florida, Franczek attended the University of Florida, where she earned a doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Franczek worked in the swine unit in college and after graduation in 1981, took her first job at a veterinary practice in Pennsylvania, mainly working with pigs.
She soon decided to open her own large animal practice in Newark, Del. She married Dr. Rich Barczewski, an associate professor at Delaware State University, in 1984. They moved to Smyrna where Franczek opened Farm and Field Veterinary Service.

The couple has three children, Adam, Stephen and Sarah.

Franczek had clients all across Delaware. In addition to her busy practice, she was the president of the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association and active in the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the American Veterinary Association.

Dempsey said, “Ruthie is a passionate advocate for Delaware agriculture. She was the driving force behind the Birthing Center at the Delaware State Fair. You could find her there, on the microphone, speaking to the public about the cows and the birthing process. She has been a leader in educating Delawareans about large animals, and the Birthing Center is just one way in which she was able to do so. Franczek has spent more than 36 years caring for dairy cows and livestock throughout the state of Delaware.

“We, as farmers, greatly appreciate her dedication, expertise, and her passion to provide the best care possible for our animals.”

Franczek retired in 2017 in order to spend more time doing the things she loves - horseback riding and traveling.

KCFB President Richard Wilkins said Delaware farmers have faced challenges this year, especially from the weather and from decision makers. He acknowledged, however, that those “in Delaware are doing good work for us.” He expressed appreciation for the state’s new deer plan which increased the number of Sunday hunting days and provided steps for harvesting additional antlerless deer out of season for farmers who have suffered severe damage.

Farmers have seen a 50 percent reduction in income from a few years ago, Wilkins said, and “a lot of good farmers have had to leave agriculture for a variety of reasons, especially young people.”

He continued, “The best way to solve problems is to be engaged with decision makers at the local level and in D.C. in groups like Farm Bureau. When we gather together, we speak with a louder voice.”

Wilkins presented a plaque to retiring board member Jonathan Thompson. Thompson said, “It has been an honor to serve, but my season here, at least for now, is up.”

Susan Garey, Extension agent in Animal Science and State 4-H Animal Science Program coordinator, and Jacob Urian, chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committe, presented awards to 4-Hers and FFA members in the Rate of Gain competition. Miranda Garey, daughter of Susan and Ashton Garey, won awards for both her 4-H sheep and her 4-H swine. Regan Walter, daughter of John and Wendy Walter, won for her 4-H goat. FFA winners were Drew Harris, son of Ron and Jennifer Harris, for his sheep; Maura Breeding, daughter of Mark and Ann Breeding, for her swine; and Maura’s older sister, McKenna, for her goat.

Urian reported the YF&R had a successful year of activities, including a tractor pull with a record 140 hooks in July.