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Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter

The Becker family poses for a picture with a plaque given to them during the Fall Blessing of the Farm on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Four Beck Dairy in Bartelso. Photo by Matt Wilson    A nice crowd made their way to Four Beck Dairy in Bartelso on Tuesday, Sept. 24, for a Fall Blessing of the Farm ceremony.
    Four Beck Dairy is a five-generation farm owned by Gerald and Diane Becker, Stan and Debbie Becker, Daniel Becker, and Brad and Dawn Becker.
    "My heart was full today," Debbie Becker said. "I just appreciate everyone who took the time to come out to this event today. The crowd and the event was just amazing."
Bishop of Belleville Michael McGovern blesses the grains during the Fall Blessing of the Farm on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Four Beck Dairy in Bartelso. Photo by Matt Wilson    Bishop of Belleville Presider and Homilist Michael McGovern presided over the service.
    During the service, McGovern blessed the rosary, machinery and tools, grain, animals, and the fruits and vegetables on the farm, located on Bartelso Road.
    The Becker family was presented with a plaque following the ceremony.
    Four Beck Dairy has a long history.
    Judge Frederick Becker bought 80 acres of land north of Bartelso in the early 1840s. At the time it was raw prairie land. Frederick and his wife, Katherine, worked to make the raw prairie land into an improved farm.
Bishop of Belleville Michael McGovern speaks to the crowd during the Fall Blessing of the Farm on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Four Beck Dairy in Bartelso. Photo by Matt Wilson    The farm was later taken over by their son John Bernard "JB" Becker. JB and his wife resided in the original house raising their nine children and improving the farm. One of their children, Bernard Henry, eventually took over the farm. He and his wife Adel resided in the original house for several years. In 1958, they decided to build the ranch style house that is currently on the farm.
    Bernard and Adel turned the farm over to their sons Gerald and Stanley Becker. Gerald and his wife Diane reside in the home just north of the original house. Stan and his wife Debbie reside in the original homestead location.
    Stan raised his children Daniel, Tina, Theresa, Michele and Debbie's daughter Tosha all in the original homestead location. Stan's son, Daniel, and Jerry's son, Brad, have worked side by side with their dads their entire life.
    Daniel lives just a mile away and Brad with his wife Dawn raise their three children — Grant, Bennet and Vance — just a mile and a half away.
    Together, the father and son duo formed Four Beck Dairy, making them the fifth generation to work on the farm.
    Four Beck Dairy has always been a grain and livestock farm. They currently grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay and wheat. They have had beef cattle and hogs in the past, but now concentrate on dairy cattle. Almost all of their crops are raised to feed their dairy cows.
    Stan takes care of the calves and helps as needed with anything else. Debbie maintains the farm books and cattle records. Danny manages everything to do with the cows and the employees. Brad manages the crops and all the machinery maintenance with the help of his children.