"Have you seen...?" has been the beginning of the question on the lips of many Dunklin County residents who have traveled on Highway 412 between Kennett and Senath recently.

With so many asking that question, it is clear local farmer, Jason Chandler, has achieved his goal of drawing attention to a cause near and dear to his entire family.

What can be seen out in the fields near Dalton Gin, are 15 cotton bales wrapped in pink round module wrap, with the ends of the bales tagged with a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon.

When his sister, Misty Chandler Edmonston, lost her battle with cancer in June, 2010, the Chandler family organized a non-profit foundation devoted to helping those who are battling breast cancer in our area.

"Misty's Mission" is the name given to the foundation that offers assistance to both men and women who are facing their own battle with breast cancer.

"I wanted to bring attention to breast cancer awareness and to Misty's Mission," Chandler said. "We worked along with the wrap manufacturer and Legacy Equipment to get this done," he said.

Chandler's goal is to have his entire cotton crop in pink wrap next year. "We'd ultimately like to have the option to buy this color every year, with a portion of the cost going to charity," he said.

Other area cotton farmers fully support Chandler's idea. "I haven't talked to one farmer that wouldn't use pink wrap on every bale if given the chance," he said.

"I usually keep my feelings to myself, but it really put a smile on my face when I saw the bales actually coming out of the picker," he said. "I know my sister was smiling down on me also."

According to representatives from Dalton Gin, the pink-wrapped bales will remain in the fields "until approximately the end of the month to give people the opportunity to see them and to help spread the word about breast cancer awareness and Misty's Mission."

"I really hope the bales put a smile on everyone's face," Chandler said. "Especially the people and the families affected by this awful disease."