The tales that Jerry Crownover documents in his column Life is Simple have brought Ozarks farmers laughs throughout the years and stories to be passed on at local coffee shops in every small town. Friends getting their tractors stuck in frozen ponds, dead cows sliding down the hill or even memories of what he learned as an agriculture teacher about the real way to farm – Jerry has shared much insight about rural life and the changes in the industry. But, what about the man behind Life is Simple?
Growing Up
Jerry was born near Mtn. Home, Ark., where his dad was a crop farmer and the family bottled their own milk and sold it in the area. It was when Jerry was 5 years old that his family relocated just across the state line to Gainesville, Mo. The Missouri farm had an excellent creek bottom that Jerry said, “We were probably the only folks in Ozark County that grew row crops,” along with hogs and cattle.
Farming his family’s farm was where Jerry’s attention to detail and hard work ethic developed. After graduating from Gainesville High School, he headed north to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU). He earned his Agricultural Education Degree in 1974 and taught FFA in rural schools, while also obtaining his Master’s Degree.
Missouri State University
Jerry enjoyed teaching youth about agriculture and career possibilities, but life took a turn and an opening at Missouri State University teaching Agricultural Education became available. Jerry taught at MSU for 17 years.
Writer & Speaker
Jerry fell into writing his columns with some encouragement from his wife, Judy. “She said she’d heard me tell stories and asked why I didn’t try writing them down,” Jerry said, “so I did.” Jerry sent in his first column to his hometown newspaper, the Ozark County Times and the writing career evolved. Eventually, many other publications picked up Jerry’s column. Readers enjoyed his honesty and humor in each tale and with his notoriety, came speaking engagements from all over the Midwest.
Next are his books. Two books which compile all his tales from the farm life. “I need to get a third and final one finished.” He joked and says he doesn’t know how much longer he will continue, but the verdict is out whether he means it or not.
Getting to the Simple Life
For 17 years Jerry helped to guide many of today’s FFA teachers in the region as a professor at MSU and he, “loved every minute of it.” Jerry was always on the go, but in 1983 he slowed down a bit after marrying Judy. The Crownover family grew when sons Seth and Zach arrived and Jerry started searching for a way to get back into farming fulltime. Then, in 1997 Jerry’s father passed on and the moment was a, “life changing thought process for me,” which prompted Jerry to re-evaluate what he wanted for his family. “I was 44 years old and I wanted to farm,” he explained. “My wife said quit and do it.”
Jerry seized the opportunity, resigned from teaching at MSU and began purchasing land in 1997. Over the years he has put together around 530 acres, renting another 80 from a neighbor. “I told my wife I wasn’t going to make any money – she said that’s fine for now.”
The Simple Life
During the last 14 years Jerry has built his ‘simple life’ in Halltown, Mo., which consists of six farms and anywhere between 150-200 head of mainly black commercial cattle. “Almost all the herd is black, except for a few Red Angus,” he stated. Jerry uses Shorthorn bulls to maximize hybrid vigor among his herd.
When talking to Jerry about his farm, it’s easy to see that he focuses on the bottomline – will it pencil out or not? “I can’t control prices, but I can control how much I spend,” explained Jerry. With that mindset, he fertilizes only hay fields, doesn’t feed his animals any grain and only buys Show-Me Select Heifers.
Jerry has learned many valuable lessons about farming in the Ozarks, but the best advice he offered “was to control your costs. Folks know me to be pretty frugal, but it allows to make money when others can’t,” he said.
Jerry is exactly where he has always wanted to be, and although it has taken him years to get there, he is thankful for the experiences he has lived. “I get up each morning and do what I love,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade this life for anyone’s salary.”
Many know Jerry as a people person, but he says that isn’t always the case. “I would be content to never leave this 5-mile radius,” he said smiling. “Being here with the cattle and my family is all I need or want – I don’t need anything else to make my life complete.”
