Karl Hurst
In Town: Karl Hurst is a registered physical therapist who has worked both at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark., and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Ark. Karl recently resigned his position at North Arkansas Regional and is in the process of setting up his own independent outpatient physical therapy clinic in Harrison.
On the Farm: Karl and his wife own 132 acres in northern Boone County and lease another adjacent 350 acres. They have a commercial cow/calf herd of mostly Angus. “I’m a producer,” he said. “I just put cattle on the ground. I get them to 450-weight and then I sell my calves.”
What is unique about your farm?
“We have a program where we use some of our cows as donors for embryo transplant for customers. Some of the calves that have been birthed on our place have been award winners at major shows all over the country.”
Are there any similarities between your work as a therapist and on the farm?
“I enjoy and am good at solving problems. When a patient comes in the door with a pain or is immobile, I assess the problem and administer the type of therapy needed to help them get better. The same type of situation shows up on the farm: A problem presents itself, I assess the problem and do what is needed to make it better.”
Story and Photo by Jack and Pam Fortner
