NEIGHBORS
Seeking the Best
The hunt for a top-quality Wagyu steak led to the beginning of Grand Cattle Company
ADAIR, OKLA. - Like most people in America, Erik Paulson likes a good steak. But also, like many people, finding a good cut of beef to devour could be a problem.
Six years ago, Erik, a doctor, was faced with that situation when he searched for Wagyu...
Always a Cattleman
Jim Owens grew up in the family farm and continues that tradition today
HUNTSVILLE, ARK. - When someone says “born and raised cowboy,” that would touch on the description of Jim Owens.
In 1940 in Huntsville, Ark., Jim was born into a longtime ranching family. He still lives on the family farm on Berry Ranch Road. The farm started out at...
Overcoming Injury
Oklahoma native Rodney Huffer says a 2010 accident serves as a reminder of dangers on the farm
MARSHALL, OKLA. - Seventy-four old Rodney Huffer adjusted the brim of his hat as he drove down the road in his Ford F-350 flatbed, on a warm, windy afternoon. He was on his way to ensure the safety of a cow that was...
Doing What Works
Aaron and Teresa Johnson go from a dairy operation to feeder cattle
PLEASANT HOPE, MO. – After decades in the dairy industry, Aaron and Teresa Johnson decided in 1993 that it was time to make a change, but they still wanted to remain in the cattle industry. Taking advantage of the facilities they had in place for the dairy cows,...
Feeding The Local Beef Economy
Crescent M Farms and the Hartley family added a feeding facility to finish their own cattle
FAIR GROVE, MO. - Mason Hartley and his family are in the business of beef at at Crescent M Farms. With their farm and feed lot in Fair Grove, Mo., Crescent M Farms has supplied approximately 250 beef to Missouri Prime Beef Packers in...
NEIGHBORS
Going Underground
Onyx Cave has been open to the public for more than 100 years
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARK. - The “Natural State” is known for its scenic beauty, sparkling lakes and streams and abundant wildlife. But there’s a lot more Arkansas to see underground.
There are thousands of caves in Arkansas, with only a few open to the public for tours. The oldest...
French Feed
Location: Clinton, Ark.
Owner: John French
History: French Feed has been serving farmers and rancher in the Clinton. Ark., area for 32 years. Owner John French bought Clinton Feed in 1990 after working there for about four years and changed the name to French Feed.
“It’s been a family-owned business since then,” John said.
Products and Services: John said French Feed has a...
Callie Lovell
Age: 8
Parents: Teala and Cody Lovell
Hometown: Greenwood, Ark.
4-H Club: Dayton 4-H Club
Club leader: Brittany Slate
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“I’ve shown goats, sheep and rabbits, and have done poultry showmanship. I like to plant fruits, trees, and vegetables. My 4-H project is horticulture, and I’m the junior vice president of my 4-H club.”
What is your favorite part of being involved...
Byron Suggs
Family: Wife LeAnn Suggs, and grown daughters Lauren and Brianna
In Town: “I am a town person. When I was a senior, my father George purchased a small body shop in Prairie Grove, Ark. While attending the University of Arkansas, I discovered I could make more money in the shop than I could teaching history and returned to the shop for 30 years...
The Story of a Courthouse
The current structure on the Mount Vernon, Mo., square replaced two previous buildings
MOUNT VERNON, MO. - The historic courthouse located on the Courthouse Square in Mount Vernon, Mo., was built in 1900. It is a rectangular, 2 1/2-story Romanesque Revival stile limestone building which measures 101-feet-by-81-feet and 2 inches. It features a central clock and bell tower upon which...
Dairy Lane Feeds
Location: Richland, Mo.
Owners: W.T. and Tori Carnes, with son Adam Carnes
History: The Carnes family started Dairy Lane Feeds after disbanding their dairy herd in 2015.
“We were selling mineral and quit milking, but we had the commodity barn,” W.T. said. “We had people ask if we would mix them some feed, and it has gone from there. Now we are custom...
Making a Master Plan
Strategizing for the present and the future
As exciting as it may be to jump headfirst into a new construction project on the farm, pausing...
The Lay of the Land
Choosing the best building site
The perfect place on a producers’ property for their next building project may not be the spot they originally had...
Understanding a Blueprint
Blueprints don’t have to be intimidating
For individuals who are unfamiliar with construction, understanding blueprints for a construction project may seem intimidating.
A blueprint is a...
Estimates for Farm-Related Construction
Get detailed, thorough estimates from contractors
Farmers come by the do-it-yourself attitude naturally. It’s pretty much in the job description. However, there are projects along...
Remodel or Raze?
Experts recommend producers evaluate several factors
Whether a producer should renovate an existing structure or tear it down and build a new one, depends on...
Tick-Borne Illnesses on the Rise
Tick bites can cause a life-threatening food allergy
Imagine grilling steaks for dinner and suffering from hives by bedtime.
Ticks are already thick this year, and...