Hometown: St. James, Mo.
Family: Husband Brian Engelmeier, son Lane Engelmeier and daughter Alivia Engelmeier
In Town: “I graduated with my degree in psychology. I’ve spent the last 20 years in the field of social work or education in some form or capacity. I currently work at Four Rivers as a Community Health Worker, Navigator, providing services to families in need.
“I have spent the last 20 years in the field of social work, providing resources to families, networking with community members.
In the Country: “We have spent the last six years raising show hogs for other 4-H and FFA kids. We have raised chickens, ducks and turkey for over 10 years. We would take any extra eggs and donate them to the local community blessing box. Prior to coming to St. James, I was raised on a fish and cattle farm. As a little girl, we would work our cattle through a head shoot, load them once every few months and take them to the sale barn in Vienna. I remember the scents or smells of the sale barn and restaurant like it was yesterday. We spent one day a week in the sale barn. We spent most every summer bailing and hauling hay. My dad bought his farm from my grandfather, who opened Warnol Valley Fish Farm in 1967. My grandfather closed the fishing lakes; my dad had them opened for a little over 13 years. My brother, his wife, my husband and I are now in the process of opening the family farm tradition back up, our grand opening day will be June 1. Families can come and catch farm-raised catfish by the pound and enjoy the day with one another.”
What do you enjoy most about being a farmer/rancher? “There are several things I enjoy when it comes to farming, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be the ability to serve and help feed others, to ensure that our children pass that along to their children. Farming will not make you rich, but with farming you become rich with family, friends, and the knowledge to pass down to the next generation.”
