John Rummel
Hometown: Stockton, Mo.
Family: Wife, Susie; children: Jacqui Bills, Marcus Reynolds and James Rummel; grandchildren, Garrett and Evy Bills, Cierra Reynolds, Alexis and Trent Rummel
In Town: John Rummel and his wife Susie, both retired teachers, live near Stockton, Mo. John dedicated 27 years to serving as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor. He spent 26 years at Stockton High School, and one year at Hartville R-2 School District. Susie also retired from Stockton where she taught first grade.
John is starting his fourth year as a real estate agent with United Country Stockton Lake Properties LLC.
He specializes in farm and hunting properties.
“I have people all the time ask if I miss teaching and I can’t say that I do because I stay busy on the farm and with the real estate,” said John. “I am also supervising student teachers for Missouri State University that are coming out to teach agriculture.”
This spring he is staying busy conducting on-site visits for 10 student teachers.
In the Country: John and Susie both grew up raising Milking Shorthorn cattle, so naturally they continued the tradition of raising cattle, only now they raise beef cattle.
“I am partial to Shorthorn, but the reality is they don’t sell well. We will try to have black or solid red because it seems like they sell better,” John said.
The Rummel’s have a cow-calf operation with a spring and fall calving season.
They sell their calves after weaning as feeder calves. Aside from the cattle, John will bale hay for their farm and for a few neighbors.
“Farming is the biggest industry in Cedar County,” explained John. “I think farms and farming is an excellent way for a family to raise children. It gives them an opportunity for chores,” he added. “If you don’t have a family farm it is hard to start that kind of a business because the land is so expensive. That makes it almost prohibitive to start your own operation without family help,” added Susie. “Farming is the backbone of our country,” she said.
John and Susie enjoy spending time with their three kids and five grandkids. They are members of the Missouri Cattleman’s Association, Cedar County Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Retired Teachers, and the United Methodist Church in Humansville. They are former Cedar County Farm Bureau board members.
