Name: Patrick Eslinger
In Town: Patrick is a Food Scientist at DairiConcepts, a cheese and dairy powders, cheese concentrates and dairy replacement systems company in Springfield, Mo. Patrick specifically works on the spray drys and dry blends of cheeses and cheese seasonings. He also coordinates the samples to send to customers or sales representatives. He has been with DairiConcepts since 2004.
In the Country: Patrick partners with his dad, Lewis Eslinger, on the family farm in El Dorado Springs, Mo. They hired Patrick’s cousin, Jeff Chambers, to work as a farm manager. Patrick is there every weekend to help with hay, any crops they have out and their cattle. “We rotate crops in to replenish the forage ground,” Patrick said. Patrick bought into the family farm at age 17 and has been apart of it ever since.
How do you balance the job in town and the farm?
“There are days when I talk to them, and I know they’re having problems, or weather is coming in, but it’s not easy to take off and drive one and a half hours back to help. That’s hard. But we’ve been managing it pretty good between the three of us.”
Why have you decided to stay involved in agriculture?
“Our family’s had the farm for generations. That’s what I grew up doing, and I stayed with it.”
How does your ag experience help you in your current job?
“It gives you more of a sense of responsibility and a better work ethic. Growing up on a farm you learn between cattle, hay the work’s not going to do itself. You have to take time and make sure it’s done right.”
By OFN Staff
