I'm pleased to announce that Steve Fairchild has been promoted to full editor of Today's Farmer magazine. He's been associate editor 2 years. Over the course of that time, he's earned his new title by handling the majority of editorial duties and details. He's good.

As many of you know, Fairchild came to Today's Farmer from Missouri Ruralist magazine where he served as field editor for 7 years, writing articles and editorials. He is a graduate of ALOT, Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow, as a member of Class IX. More importantly, he's an all-around good guy and a class act, at least as far as writer-types go.

Fairchild is the 10th editor of Today's Farmer. It's an honorable title. And Fairchild takes his place in a long line of editors who have used this platform to advance the interests of MFA members and agriculture.

William Hirth began this magazine in 1908 as Missouri Farmer and Breeder. He was the first (and longest serving) editor. Hirth used the magazine to call for the formation of farm clubs. MFA was created in 1914 when seven farmers near Brunswick, Mo., took him up on his challenge. Hirth became the guiding force in creating the cooperative. He served as president of MFA in addition to his duties as editor. In that respect, Today's Farmer is unique among farm publications. The magazine preceded the cooperative. Hirth died in 1940, still serving as editor and as president of the developing cooperative.

Upon Hirth's death, H.E. Klinefelter, who had been performing all of the editorial duties for Hirth, took over the title of editor. During the next decade and a half, Klinefelter earned a reputation as a giant in the field of agricultural journalism, so much so that a national organization serving cooperatives (Cooperative Communicators of Association) still has one of its highest awards named for him. Klinefelter was editor 16 years until he died in 1956.

Sensing a fatal trend, I thought I'd break with tradition and hand over the editorial keys while still alive. By holding the title for 15 years, I'm third only to Hirth and Klinefelter in longevity. But I'm far from through with Today's Farmer. As executive editor, I will continue to contribute articles and occasional editorials as well as help with day-to-day functions (and the hated job of proofreading) as necessary.

After Klinefelter, Glenn Hensley and Richard Collins continued to produce the magazine, but Fred Heinkel, then president of MFA, took over the title of editor. In 1959, Collins became editor, a role in which he served until 1970. Both Collins and Hensley are still around. In fact, I was introduced to Hensley recently when he somehow received a copy of Today's Farmer in the mail and was thoughtful enough to write. In our first conversation, he explained how much he missed working for the magazine and how familiar parts of it still were. He was responsible for instituting Closing Thought.

Richard Collins went on to become vice president of communications for MFA. He now operates a farm north of Columbia. I first met him at an MFA annual meeting at which he offered his opinion on the direction of the magazine. His advice, editorial suggestions and dry wit are always welcome.

In fact some years ago, I found a memo Collins had written 40 years earlier on the mission of Today's Farmer. It is as relevant and perceptive today as it was 40 years ago. In essence, Collins pointed out that for the magazine to be useful to farmers and to MFA, it must represent the values of the cooperative while always remaining credible. We've used that as our mission statement ever since.