John Kleiboeker
In town: John Kleiboeker is a vice president of commercial lending for Arvest Bank in Monett, Mo., but banking was not on his career radar. “They really wanted somebody that was actively farming. They said, ‘We can teach you how to become a banker, but we can’t teach everyone the ins and outs of farming.’” Though he works with businesses in and around Monett, the bulk of John’s work comes from the rural agricultural community and developing those farm businesses. He has become a ‘town and country’ banker and likes it that way. “Sometimes people will set an appointment or I’ll go to them. I’d rather just go to their table and sit down and spread the papers over it. Just being able to do that just makes my job a lot more fun.” Besides developing businesses John is a key member of groups with an eye on agriculture. He is a state board member of the Missouri Soybean Association and was recently voted as a new member of the Lawrence County Fair Board. However John’s passion for agriculture and enjoyment of 4-H in his youth has led him to be a co-leader for Lawrence County’s 4-H Steer Program combining that love with his knowledge of economics and finances.
In the country: Being a fifth generation of farmers, agriculture runs deep in his blood. “There’s no better place to be than just sitting out in the pasture, under a tree to just watch my cattle,” he said with a beaming smile. He took his college career to the University of Missouri where he received his degree in general agriculture. Later he settled on his grandfather’s farm between Stott’s City and Freistatt, Mo. The 200-acre spread is home for him, his wife, Robin, their five sons and 80 head of cattle. His long-term goal is to create a super-high quality set of beef cows drawing upon inherited lessons blended with modern practices then applying that to the herd of Red Angus crossed with Red Simmental and Black Angus crosses with Black Simmental. Seeing the success of his grandfather’s Angus with the addition of Simmental blended in by his father, John has taken it a step further with the incorporation of the Red Angus breed. Using EPDs on heifer pregnancy for maintenance and longevity John hopes to build a herd that is very docile and has great longevity while keeping a high-quality carcass. He said, “Those three things are most important because in the end we’re all trying to sell beef to people just like us and I want them to have an enjoyable eating experience so they come back and buy more.”
