Age: 17
Hometown: Lebanon, Mo.
Parents: Kyle and Jennifer Perkins
Sibling: Danielle Perkins
FFA Chapter: Lebanon FFA
Advisors: Craig Evans, Nick Guthery and Tommy Inman
What is your involvement in agriculture? “My involvement is producing and owing beef cattle. At the age of 5 my dad, Kyle Perkins, gave me my first cow. This was where my love for cows and growing a herd began. I had always wanted to be a farmer so I started to follow my father’s footsteps. At 15 I decided to get into the registered cattle world. I decided to raise registered Charolais. By my senior year in high school I grew my herd to seven commercial bred cows, and around 25 head of registered Charolais. I sell my registered bulls for herd bulls. While it’s not all just about cattle there is a lot of other things a farmer is involved in.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture? “Taking care of my cows and putting up hay gives me a quiet place away from the craziness of town life.”
What are your future plans? “After high school, I plan to attend MWI welding institute. While I am going to college I plan on renting to buy a farm. After college my plan is to be a travelling welder. I will take the money earned on my cow/calf operation in the bank and live off my welding income. After five to 10 years, I want to have my own farm, which will allow me to have 100 head of registered Charolais.
What’s the best advice about agriculture that you have received? “The best advice that I have gained was from my father and Danny Milanovich. They both taught me that growing too big too fast is not good. They told me how starting slow and steady will get me farther in life and on my farm. This has made the start of my herd successful and will follow me for the rest of my life.”
What advice would you give to other young involved in agriculture? “If you want to be successful you have to be able to take risks. You have to love farming because it is not easy work and it is not a easy way to make money.”
