Matt and Shelby White
In Town: Matt White of Neosho, Mo., works with Premier, “We overhaul gas turbine engines for jets.” Matt is the Health Safety Environmental Coordinator for the company, “I’m in charge of the safety training for the facility, I stay current with all the safety regulations set forth by the government.” Matt and Shelby spent several years searching for a good place to raise their children, and a job that would allow Matt to spend time with his family.
In the Country: Matt and Shelby were both involved in high tech and large scale agriculture before moving to the Ozarks. With a love of agriculture and a desire to see their kids, Riley, Parker and Reese, involved with animals, they have started a high quality herd of Boer goats. “Before we decided to get goats, we were at the Newton County Fair, Parker could not stay away from the goats. He wanted one for his birthday.” The Whites bought two does, one of which was bred, “and when we had baby goats, it was all over.” They were hooked on Boer goats and researched the breed and were fortunate to find an opportunity to buy a small herd of Boer does with excellent bloodlines. They are now selling show quality wethers across the country, and their children are beginning to show the animals at local events. “The goats are more labor intensive than large livestock, but because of their size, we can all be involved. The kids all have a job,” shared Matt. Shelby, who homeschools her children, said, “The goats let us do all the things we love about high tech ag at a smaller scale.” Matt hopes that in the future they can add more acreage, more goats and aspires to eventually be equipped to hold production sales and provide sale and support of show quality animals to youth both locally and nationally.
Story and Photo by Sherry Leverich Tucker
