Kossuth County Agriculture Hall of Fame

Joseph A. Skow
Ag Hall of Fame Award - 2004

"If ever they make a movie about Joseph Skow, the only two actors that could come close to playing the lead role would have been Gary Cooper or Jimmy Stewart.

To this writer Joe epitomized the rugged tiller of the soil characterized by historians seeking to write contemporary agrarian history.

More likely than not Joe would introduce himself as representing the state of Kossuth. This is his way of showing his pride for the countryside he has called home since 1913. Still cultivating the soil of his father near Wesley, Joe has taken part in the technological development of Agriculture. From driving two horses with an old Buck rake to operating a Hesston Stacker--from a single row two horse cultivator to a multi-row tractor cultivator--from husking by hand to a modern combine--he's seen it--done it all."

From CO-OP-A-GRAM, October, 1977, Vol. 18, No. 5. This is a bi-monthly publication of the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives and was part of a director profile.

Joe was born May 19, 1913 to Jurgen and Louise Nelson Skow at Wesley, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm and, in turn, raised his family on the same farm. He graduated from Wesley High School in 1929 at the age of 16. He worked the farm with his father and eventually took over when Jurgen retired. He married Edna McElmurray in 1939. They raised seven children and helped all of them attain higher education goals that Joe and Edna never had the opportunity to pursue. Edna was the love of his life and life-long partner in all that he did. Joe died February 2, 1978. Edna died September 15, 2002.

Joe's life was dedicated to his church, family and many community services. Through his young adult years he was very active in the Christian Endeavor organization. He was state president at one time and attended several National meetings, as well as state and local activities.

The agriculture tradition lives on in the younger generation as five of the grandsons currently are involved in farming and/or ag related businesses.

Helen (Mrs. Ross) Inman
Ag Hall of Fame Award - 2004

As a five-year-old arriving in the United States from Luxumbug, Helen Reding had no idea that she was beginning a life-long association with farming. It began when she settled with her family on a farm in Whittemore, Iowa, and continued when she married Ross Inman and they raised a family of seven on a farm in Bancroft. She and Ross are still farming to this day. During her years in farming, she has been extremely active on a community, county, state and national level and has made significant contributions to the profession of farming.

Helen and Ross have lived and farmed on the same farm for their 51 years of marriage. In addition to farming, they have been selling Dekalb seed since 1987.

Helen and Ross's dedication to farming has even influenced their children. Five of their seven children were Future Farmers of American members, and three went on to hold state offices in the organization. Four of their children received Ag-related degrees from Iowa State University and have been involved in farming or businesses related to agriculture.

Helen Inman's continuing work on biotechnology and corn production, her years of community service, and her dedicated promotion the farming profession make her an ideal candidate for the Kossuth County Ag Recognition Award.

Eric Bruhn
Youth Recognition Award - 2004

David Laubenthal
Youth Recognition Award - 2004