Name: Elysia Bushey
Parents: Robert and Jeanne Bushey
FFA Chapter: Mountain Home FFA Chapter; Advisor: Josh Baker
How are you involved in agriculture?
“I raise beef cattle for show and sale,” explained Elysia. “I am actually starting my own business where I’m raising cattle to sell. Sweets’ Cattle Company is the name. I’ve been involved with Gelbvieh cattle now for about three years. My family has always raised some cattle, but I started showing when I was in 8th grade and that’s how this got started,” she reasoned. Elysia will be a senior next year.
“I currently own six cows. I pay for everything except the feed; my parents help pay for that. So the money I have is from show winnings and selling animals and I put that right back into my operation. I’m still trying to build up my breeding operation.”
What Ag groups are you a part of?
“I am a member of the FFA Chapter in Mountain Home as well as a member of the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association and the American Gelbvieh Junior Association,” she said. “I have held the office of reporter for the FFA Chapter during 9th and 10th grade and this coming year I’m running for president.”
What is the best part of growing up on a farm?
“To me the best part is being around all the animals. I was born in Tennessee and we had a small farm and when I was five years old we moved to Mountain Home where we bought a bigger farm and now have more opportunities,” she said. “I like being around the cattle and in general like being on the farm. It might seem odd, but I really enjoy the work,” Elysia added.
What are your future plans?
“I am hoping to attend Missouri State University in Springfield, majoring in animal science. I want to continue to raise cattle to sell and for show,” she explained. “I am using artificial insemination to increase my genetics and herd size. I’m interested in learning this skill myself, but so far, we’ve had someone come to the farm to AI."
By Stephanie Moody
