East Central Reporter

At the recent Farm Family event organized by the HSHS St. Francis Hospital Foundation, Kenneth Littrell was recognized with the St. Isidore Friend of Agriculture Award. This accolade is presented by the Foundation’s agriculture committee to honor local farmers. Littrell, hailing from Litchfield, is the sixth recipient of this award.

Littrell, a farmer for 75 years, recalled starting his journey with a tractor at the young age of six. Alongside his wife, Patsy, he has raised a large family including five children, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Beyond farming, Littrell's passion for showing horses led him and his family to engage in rodeos for 30 years. He served as president of both the State of Illinois Rodeo Association and the National Rodeo Association. His community involvement extends to the New Hope Baptist Church, where he has taught Sunday school. He has been recognized previously with the Goodyear Conservation Award for his efforts in resource conservation.

The award was bestowed at the Foundation’s free Farm Family event, open to farmers and their families from Macoupin and Montgomery counties, offering health screenings, a breakfast buffet, and door prizes. Guests heard presentations from Heather Hampton+Knodle on local farming lifestyles and Katie Wilson on farm bureau initiatives.

Kenneth Littrell was captured in a photo receiving the award from the Foundation, accompanied by his son Randy, his wife Patsy, and Agriculture Committee Member Kevin Niemann.