The Mallow family of Upper Tract was recognized as the 2022 Farm Heritage Award winner Aug. 18 at the State Fair of West Virginia.
This distinguished award is presented to a family that has strived to maintain its rural lifestyle by contributing to the community, serving as role models, dedicating time to efficient agricultural production, and maintaining the upkeep of their farm through generations.
A luncheon was held in the family’s honor, at which time Charles Wilfong, president of West Virginia Farm Bureau, presented the award. WV Department of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt joined dignitaries from the State Fair of West Virginia acknowledging the family’s accomplishment. The WV Farming Heritage Award is sponsored by the West Virginia Farm Bureau and the State Fair of West Virginia.
The family received an engraved stone by Stone Signs, LLC to signify the honor.
While portions of the farm have been in the family since 1884, it was during Morris and Sue Mallow’s 72 years of marriage that Mallow Farms in Upper Tract expanded its acreage tremendously with the help of their four children, Sharon, Donald, Bill and Fred.
In the early 1970s, Donald started a hog operation that grew substantially over the years. He also inherited his grandad’s, O.R. Mallow’s, herd of sheep, which he and wife, Linda, grew into a much larger flock. The farm was also involved in the trucking industry for several decades. Today, Fred continues to drive trucks for the farm, mainly hauling corn and cattle, when he’s not looking after many other aspects. Together, he and Donald both continue to work full-time as owners and partners of Mallow Farms, and Sharon tends to the record keeping and office management.
While Donald’s four children, Michael, Phillip, Cassie and Zebulun, all grew up working and helping with the farming operations, currently his middle son, Phillip, works full time on the farm. Son-in-law, Adam Boner, also helps out each day with anything needed, especially with record keeping of the cattle. Donald’s three grandsons, Easton, Everett, and Ezra Boner, help their pawpaw, ride-along in whatever piece of equipment they can con their way into and care for the many animals, as well.
Through the years, the farm has seen many changes, developments, and additions. What once started simply as a common way of life for that time period, has evolved into the sole occupation for several family members. Today, the farming operations consists of cow/calf, stockers, finishing cattle and row crops in both Pendleton and Grant counties.
