Family: Six children: Khloie (13), Clara Kate (11), Alec (9), Luke (4) and twins Megan and Logan (3).
Hometown: El Dorado Springs, Mo.
In Town: Travis and Melanie have been co-agents at Shelter Insurance in El Dorado Springs, Mo., for 15 years. They operate a multi-line agency, selling automobile, farm, home, life and business insurance.
The Farrans are active in the El Dorado Springs community. For 10 years, they have helped organize and sponsor Run for a Reason, a community run/walk event benefiting St. Jude’s Research Hospital.
“We do it from a community standpoint to get people active and out. It also raises funds for St. Jude which is near and dear to our heart because our daughter is a St. Jude patient,” Travis explained.
Travis has served on the Chamber of Commerce board for 11 years, and is currently serving as president. He is also a member of the Optimist Club in El Dorado Springs.
“Community activity is very important to us. We pride ourselves in giving back to the community as much as we can. Our community takes care of us so we like to return that and do as much as we possibly can,” Travis remarked.
They believe that a strong school reflects a strong community, which is why they are big supporters of the El Dorado Springs R-2 School District.
In the Country: Travis and Melanie both have agricultural roots from Nebraska, so naturally they wanted to raise their children around agriculture.
“We love agriculture and the rural lifestyles setting that we live in because it connects us and our children to the land. It allows them to set roots, foster responsibility, chores and work ethic,” Travis said.
Their family farm consists of commercial beef cattle, Quarter Horses and a miniature donkey named Herbie.
Their older children are members of the Union Hall 4-H Club. They show horses and cattle at the Cedar County Youth Fair and the Land O’ Lakes Youth Fair during the summer.
They hope to increase their children’s involvement in agriculture as they grow and to teach them the financial side of production agriculture.
“It’s in our roots. It’s in our bloodline,” Travis said.
