Good fences make good neighbors, according to the old saying, but good neighbors willing to extend a helping hand to one another are a staple of life in the Ozarks. Jarrod Campbell and Roger Martens of rural Camden County, outside Macks Creek, Mo., are living proof of that.
Roger and wife, Reta, moved to the area, after retiring from full-time farming in central Illinois about 15 years ago. He brought 45 registered Angus cattle with him from the Bloomington, Ill., area when he moved, “to keep his hand in a little.” Roger has 100 acres and next door, a young Jarrod Campbell has 120 acres, a part of what was once his grandfather’s land.
“We bought a bull from Roger about 10 years ago,” Jarrod began to explain their long cooperation that includes co-ownership of 25 Angus cows with calves. “And we’ve just become friends since. I bought my first cow when I was a senior in high school and I’ve been involved with cows, with my parents, Kenny and Gretchen Campbell ever since.
“We work the cows together,” Jarrod continued. “We AI some of the cows for February and March calving. We keep back a few replacement heifers and sell the rest plus a few bulls each year.”
Jarrod works as a lineman for Southwest Electric Cooperative and his wife, Missy, is a receptionist at a doctor’s office. They have two daughters, Makenna, age 7 and Kassidy, age 4, who just love the cows. Jarrod continued, “It’s good to have someone else to work with. When I have to be out working during power outages and storms, even if it’s during calving season, it’s a great help to have a partner.
“This gives us both somebody to talk to about the problems involved,” Jarrod continued. “We go to cow sales and farm shows together and have fish fries together, too. You might as well just say we’re family. His 40 years of knowledge and experience goes a long way toward keeping us out of trouble and I’ve got a strong back and a weak mind,” he laughed. “He can tell me what to do and I can get it done.”
Roger smiled. “I enjoy my retirement with just 100 acres to keep up with, here in the Ozarks where it’s not nearly so cold as in Illinois. Jarrod helps us both to support our farming habit. He’s helped me out so much. When I do run into problems, I call him.”
