Stephen Greb
In Town: “I have worked for Arkansas Valley Electric for five years and before that worked making electric motors in Ozark, Ark. I am a lineman. I climb poles, build new lines, maintain lines and put in new lines. I’m rather like a doctor or veterinarian because I’m on call 24/7. Last year when I was at the fair we had a storm, and I had to leave right away because of a power outage. I like being a lineman because you’re not looking at the same walls all the time, you never know what the day will bring, and you get to help people. Sometimes when it’s really hot, I begin to wonder, but when people who lose their houses still bring you food and coffee because they’re so grateful to have their power restored, I know that I am in the right job.”
In the Country: “I own and lease 175 acres in Ratcliff, Ark., and raise a commercial herd in partnership with my father. We have 80 momma cows and two Hereford bulls and two purebred Limousin bulls with the intent of raising black, white-faced calves because black sells so well. I love Santa Gertrudis because they’re so pretty, but black is too. A group of blacks usually brings three or four more cents per pound which makes a significant difference when you’re selling 10 calves. I inherited the land and am buying back adjoining land originally owned by my family. My wife Stacy and I have three kids including one grown daughter who used to love dancing and cheerleading. The two boys showed hogs and chickens this year. We have eight breeding sows and chickens. The boys sell eggs to help pay for feed. I raise my own hay and also hay a neighbor’s field and buy it on the stump.”
Making it Work: “Working in town provides health insurance which is a big deal, and my job allows us to pay for feed and for the boys to work on a farm, which is good training for them. If I won the lottery, I’d buy more land and raise more cows. I guess I’ll have cows until I die.”
