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Burch blazing path to future success
As many of the members of the Class of 2020 prepare to leave home in the coming weeks, some are doing so for the first time. For one Vernon County youth, packing up and heading out on a new adventure is nothing new. Nevada graduate Kate Burch has literally worn the wheels off of her suitcases in her travels. As an active member of 4-H and FFA, Kate has taken advantage of many leadership opportunities including several to Washington, D.C. and Jefferson City. Her latest trip came in February, before the pandemic quarantine began. Burch applied, and earned a spot with the Missouri Legislative Academy, shadowing Representative Patricia Pike and Senator Ed Emery as well as meeting with many leaders in the agriculture industry.
Burch returned to Vernon County with a clear path in mind as she prepared to complete her senior year of high school. When the abrupt halt to her schooling occurred, she was not deterred. Burch kept busy at home on the farm, finishing her dual credit courses, caring for her 4-H and FFA livestock projects, painting and sewing. When her hostess job at Buzz's BBQ was put on hold, Kate filled a position at Osage Prairie YMCA working with youth as a camp counselor.
As summer approached, Kate gratefully returned to Buzz's, balancing both jobs as she prepared for the county and state fairs. The past several weeks have been quite the rollercoaster for her. In June, Burch was crowned Rodeo Queen, and then began July at the Vernon County Youth Fair retiring her crown as the 2019 VCYF Queen. As a 4-H member and the current President of both Walker 4-H Club and the Vernon County 4-H Council, this marked Burch's final year of eligibility as a 4-H member. She completed a 14-year journey on a high note, earning Grand Champion for a dress she made for graduation, as well as Reserve Grand Champion for a painted denim jacket she created this winter. She also exhibited swine and sheep exhibits at the fair.
Burch said 4-H helped get her outside of her comfort zone.
"I wasn't always super outgoing, and super-excited about everything," she said. "But the 4-H trips I was able to go on really helped to step outside of my comfort zone, and getting more involved and outspoken outside of my bubble. So those experiences helped me personally grow. And the experiences I gain through FFA really played a role in where I'm at now."
Burch said her fondest 4-H memories came via mentoring younger kids, including her brother. "Just to see what they get out of it," she said. "If it's just talking to them about a trip I've been on, that they get to go on, or helping them in the show-ring that absolutely paid off for them. They're a big part of why I love 4-H so much."
A disappointing turn came two weeks ago when the Missouri State Fair announced the cancellation of the Queen Competition, an event Kate has diligently prepped for over the past year. Fortunately, she is still eligible to run next year if she chooses.
"It was definitely disappointing," Burch said. "I had done all the work, and turned in all the papers, and had my plans set," she explained. "So it was kind of shocking."
Following that busy time was the immense relief of graduating with her peers, and gathering together to celebrate with family and friends. As Kate prepares to move to Springfield and attend Missouri State University, she has declared a unique course of study that will lead her to a calling of service. Having grown up east of Walker on her family's farming and ranching operation, Kate is the seventh-generation on Kennedy-Burch Farms. Burch's roots extend to the far west end of Vernon County, where the Comstock branch of the family tree has five generations of history and are strongly affiliated with 4-H and the Youth Fair. While her family has always encouraged her to follow her own path, she has intertwined those dreams with her heritage.
"My agriculture classes at the Tech Center have really helped guide my career path," Burch said, referring to Nevada Regional Technical Center, where she served as the President of the Technical Honor Society. "Learning about the industry, competing in leadership and career development events with Mr. Gast and Mr. Mareth, and attending FFA events are highlights of my high school experience!"
Declaring a double major in Agriculture Education and Political Science may sound unusual, unless you were to speak with Burch. "People might think I'm following in either one of my parents' footsteps, as my mom has taught for 17 years, and my dad has been in agriculture since he left college but this is my own path. I plan to use my degree to work with legislators and lawmakers in our state and national capitals to help educate them about the experiences and needs of farmers and agriculturalists. Those that work the land rarely leave it. They need a voice that understands how, and why they need support and can share that information with those behind the policies and decisions that put food on every table in the country."
One of Burch's influences is her grandfather, Jerry Burch a former well-known state representative hailing from Walker.
"I feel like he had a positive influence on everyone he was around," Burch said, describing him as kind, and in charge. "My mom and grandma are both educators, so that's where the education part comes in."
Burch continued: "Nearly every job I've had since I joined the workforce have been small, family businesses, rooted right here in Vernon County. Studio 119, 54 Feed and Seed, Kennedy Seed Center, and Buzz's BBQ all rely on the support of this rural community. They all give back to the community and the community supports them. They've been a huge example to me. I grew up playing basketball and volleyball at the YMCA, and there is a network of volunteers and donors there that make programs possible for everyone in this community."
Burch cultivated her work-ethic helping her father on their sprawling ranch east of Walker. "I helped mostly with sorting our cows, all of that," Burch noted.
Burch is spent the final week of July at Maranatha Bible Camp near Everton, with fellow members of Walker Christian Church. She's been a camper there every summer since the first-grade, even working two summers as kitchen staff.
Burch has a heart for service, instilled in her by her grandparents and parents, all of whom have been community servants of one kind or another. They are all proud and excited to see the path she is blazing for herself, and the influence she can have on the agriculture industry. Burch said she hopes to make Vernon County proud, and give back all that's been given to her.
Burch's parents are Jered and Crystal, and her siblings are Cole and Jace.