Aug. 10, 2026
Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu
Photos courtesy of Addie Kemper
When Addie Kemper steps into the show ring this week at the Missouri State Fair, the University of Missouri sophomore will do so with newfound confidence and a deeper appreciation for the rural roots that shaped her. Through her studies at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, she has not only gained a broader understanding of agriculture but also found her voice as an advocate for an industry she has loved since childhood.
“At the fair, people ask questions about farming, and Mizzou has given me the confidence to explain what we do and why we do it,” she said.
Kemper is one of hundreds of Missourians — young and old — participating in the Missouri State Fair, which runs Aug. 13-23 in Sedalia. From interactive exhibits and expert-led educational programs to opportunities that inspire tomorrow’s agricultural leaders, Mizzou helps connect fairgoers with the research, innovation and hands-on learning shaping the future of agriculture across Missouri.
For Kemper, who grew up raising sheep on a small plot of land in Hawk Point, Missouri, that education has prepared her to share her passion for agriculture with others.
“Most people don’t realize how much time goes into raising livestock,” she said. “They don’t see the middle-of-the-night checks to make sure newborn lambs survive, the early morning chores or the constant work that goes into keeping our sheep healthy.”
Sheep have been part of Kemper's life for as long as she can remember. Her parents, Tim Kemper, BS '96, and Mende Kemper met while students at Mizzou, and her father showed sheep at the Missouri State Fair as a teenager. By age 8, Kemper was following in his footsteps, balancing early morning chores with evenings spent working with the sheep.
Caring for sheep became more than a fair project for Kemper. It meant learning to pay attention to every detail, recognizing when an animal needed extra care and understanding the daily commitment that comes with caring for livestock. Those experiences gave her firsthand knowledge of agriculture — knowledge she now uses to help others understand life on the farm.
A lifelong Tiger
Even as a child, Kemper considered herself a Tiger.
“We watched Mizzou on TV and went to games,” she said. “There are so many of my parents’ friends who went to Mizzou with them — friends who we consider family. So, I grew up always thinking of Mizzou as family.”
When she came for a campus visit, she quickly felt at home.
“Everywhere I went on campus, whether it was the residence halls, the Student Center or the Ag Building, someone would go out of their way to include me,” Kemper said.
Today, Kemper is majoring in agricultural leadership, communications and education with a minor in animal science.
“Growing up on a farm, I learned that even on the toughest days, you have to get up and keep going,” she said. “At Mizzou, when classes get challenging or obstacles come up, I don’t give up. Farming taught me that hard work, resilience and dedication are what make difficult things possible.”
Over the years, Kemper has earned a wall full of banners and trophies, including the coveted Missouri State Fair Showmanship plaque in 2024 — the same honor her father received when he showed at the fair.
More than the banners and trophies lining her wall, Kemper values the opportunity to represent an industry she believes in. At Mizzou, she's building the skills to help shape the future of agriculture.
