2016 Gary Rader
Gary Rader was born in 1963 to Jake Rader (deceased) and Marilyn Goodrich, and has lived in Carroll County all of his life. He has an older sister, Vickie Holcomb, and a younger sister, Debbie Smith. Gary attended Camden Elementary School and graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1981.
Gary spent much of his childhood on his paternal grandparent’s small forty acre farm southeast of Camden. During those years he began to love life on the farm as he learned about raising and caring for animals and crop production. As he grew older, Gary worked on his uncle’s farm in northern Carroll County and on a farrow to finish operation for Charles Yeager.
Gary attended Purdue University and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and is also a graduate of the Purdue Agricultural short course. Gary married Shannon Black in 1985 and they began farming with her parents, Kim and Annette Black, becoming the fourth generation to farm and live on the original homestead. Shannon is also a graduate of Purdue and worked in the business world until their first child was born, then returned home to raise a family and manage the farm accounting. The farm raised seed corn and sold seed for Pioneer for three generations which gave Gary the opportunity to manage detasseling and derogueing crews for many years. After Pioneer ceased production in Carroll County, their farm began growing waxy corn to add a higher value crop to their mix of commercial corn, soybeans, and wheat. Gary was also in the contract hog production business until 2006.
Gary is a past member of Flora First Christian Church where he and Shannon were married, and where he served on the Board of Directors, and as a Deacon and Elder. He is currently a member of Delphi United Methodist Church where he serves on the financial committee.
Gary has served his community and his industry in various ways including: serving on the Ag Advisory Board for Delphi Community High School as well as supporting the FFA program, participating in flood relief by delivering hay to farmers in need, served on local Christmas Basket committee, served on Beef Committee for 4-H fair beef project, host for farm visits for Tippecanoe County elementary classes, host for 1988 Indiana Farm Management Tour, member of Carroll County Ag Association since its inception, serving as Director, Secretary, Scholarship Chairman, and President for the past two years.
Gary and Shannon were blessed with three children, Branden, Cale, and Laine. Branden is married to Kelsey (O’Donnell) Rader and they have one son, Gatlin James. Cale is married to Brittany (Wise) Rader and they have one son, Trace Ryan. Laine is a junior at Purdue majoring in Elementary Education. Branden is the fifth generation to work on the farm and Cale is a sales representative for Pioneer, and helps on the farm as time allows. Kelsey and Brittany are both registered nurses and dedicated mothers. Gary enjoys spending time with his family, boating, motorcycle trips with friends and family, and tropical vacations.
March 02, 2016
