Don Richerson
In Town: Don and his wife Amy own and operate Midwest Gardens in Ozark, Mo.
On the farm: Don and his family live on a small hobby farm just outside of Ozark in Christian County. They have a herd of cows, as well as goats, poultry and a vegetable garden.
Family: Wife, Amy and two sons, Carter and Conner
How they started: Don started a mowing company when he was 14 years old. He said he wanted to continue to “expand and sell” and in 1997 he and Amy opened Midwest Gardens, a nursery and landscaping business. While the Richersons have been in horticulture for quite some time, they are relatively new to farming. They have lived on their farm for 2 years and it has been a work in progress as they tore down the existing buildings and rebuilt from the ground up.
What they’ve learned: “Start small,” the Richersons advised. “And don’t get a mean goat,” Conner added. Don noted that one of the hardest things he’s learned is how to manage the vaccination schedule for his animals.
Unique fact: Don’s interest in the environment and sustainable agriculture transfers to his business; the greenhouse at Midwest Gardens is heated with a wood burning hot water furnace that heats the water, which in turn circulates into radiators and heats the greenhouse.
Story and Photo by Klaire Bruce
