Jim Criger
In town: Jim Criger, of Springfield, Mo., Greene County, works as a ballroom dance instructor at Dance With Me Studio at the Savoy Ballroom. When he is not teaching dance lessons, Jim is busy hosting dance competitions and putting on workshops. He also works as a real estate broker in the greater Springfield area.
In the Country: “I do a little of everything,” said Jim. He raises calves, horses, chickens, meat and dairy goats – but his main focus is raising his pastured Red Wattle pigs, a critically endangered heritage breed of swine. Jim keeps his pigs in ‘pig tractors,’ moveable enclosures that allow the pigs to forage in the fields. The inspiration for these genius portable pens came from the small, lightweight chicken tractors used for pastured poultry. “I just made ‘em bigger and stronger,” Jim said. Right now he has a herd of 10 pigs – all being raised in pig tractors. He sells the piglets and has plans to attend this year’s Farm Fest to market his pig tractors. Jim also has a white carriage and a team of white horses that he hires out to wedding parties, as well as raising white doves to release at weddings and special occasions. Doves aren’t the only birds that Jim is interested in – he is also a falconer. When he is not busy with livestock and building projects, Jim enjoys hunting and being outdoors in general.
Best part of town and country life: “The sunset,” Jim said. He spent nine years working at Dixie Stampede in Branson, Mo., performing Roman Riding for the evening shows, and said “I don’t know if I ever saw the sun go down.” He is now enjoying not just the sunsets, but the fresh air and uniqueness of his lifestyle. “I like having diversity,” he said happily.
Story and Photo by Klaire Bruce
