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Our Wayne County agriculture group misplaced an iconic member on March 29 when Mark Massengale handed away after a short sickness. Mark was an integral a part of Massengale Enterprises based by his Dad, Glen Massengale. At one time or one other Mark labored in all features of this massive agri-business enterprise. On the feed mill, he waited on clients and made and delivered feed. He labored on the feeder pig barn weighing and hauling pigs. He labored within the hog operation caring for the pigs, hauling pigs and market hogs, repairing amenities, and spreading liquid hog manure. He slot in wherever wanted. These of us within the hog business received to know Mark throughout this time and he grew to become an awesome pal to all of us. Mark finally made the transition to taking good care of the cow/calf operation and he made a brand new set of pals within the cattle business.
Glen Massengale was an awesome chief when it got here to Kentucky agriculture serving as Kentucky Cattleman’s Affiliation President, Kentucky Feed and Grain Affiliation President, and twice as Kentucky Pork Producers President. Mark usually “stood within the hole” taking good care of the day-to-day chores of his dad’s companies so he could possibly be snug being away to serve in his management roles. Though main organizations equivalent to these didn’t personally enchantment to Mark, he cherished his daddy and was very pleased with his accomplishments. In my position as County Agriculture Agent, I’ve had the chance to put in writing or discuss Glen’s contributions to Wayne County agriculture. Mark at all times went out of his option to thank me for saying form issues about his father. He actually appreciated it.
When Robert Dunagan grew to become Wayne County Pork Producers President, we started grilling much more and doing fundraisers for 4-H and others. Mark got here when he may. I imagine cooking on the county honest was his favourite time grilling with us. We had extra time to fellowship with one another. All of us grew to become very shut pals. We had been in a position to finance our journeys to Kentucky.
Pork Conference in Owensboro yearly. Mark was in a position to attend some, however he often stated, “Jim and Ruby Sullivan actually wish to attend the state assembly and each of us in all probability don’t should be away from the animals that lengthy” .
One of the vital efficient educating instruments for extension is farm excursions. Through the years Mark and I had been in a position to go on a number of beef excursions, however the one which I bear in mind essentially the most was a retreat at Biltmore Estates for beef producers, extension specialists, Agriculture Brokers, and Household and Client Sciences Brokers. I can bear in mind 4 of the individuals from Wayne County, Mark Massengale, Keith Parmley, Georgia Burton, and myself. We met and set objectives for extension programming for the meat business.
We additionally obtained particular therapy from Biltmore and received to eat a number of good meals at their eating places. It was early April, and got here a fast 2′ snow in about an hour of flakes that had been as huge as silver {dollars}. It was a good looking setting. The snow all melted the subsequent day. We had been in a position to tour their new vineyard and tasting room. That is the place Mark had enjoyable, however it wasn’t from tasting wine. One of many girls was sipping wine, however she needed the expertise to final a number of moments. She felt self-conscious standing there holding the cup, so she hid it below her full-length winter coat that she wore within the snow. Each time she opened the coat to sip the wine Mark would fake to take her photograph. A fond reminiscence.
Mark was an awesome native chief serving in lots of capacities with the Wayne County Ag Council, Pork Producers, Cattlemen’s Affiliation, the Extension District Board and on the time of his passing was a present board member of the Wayne County Farm Bureau Federation and the. Wayne County Part 1 Ag Improvement Council.
Mark didn’t search accolades or notoriety. He simply needed to be your pal. That’s fairly particular. I’m glad to say he was my pal.
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