Neighbors

Paul Sims’ herd of American British White Park Cattle move as a wave of white, trotting up to the fence to greet him on his Dent County farm. Paul claims he rarely feeds the cattle, except necessary hay in the winter, but maintains that the breed’s affection for humans is inherited.

Four generations of the Pitts family have made their home and living on a Missouri Century Farm in Hickory County with the fifth generation currently joining in on the tradition.

There is a cultural distance when it comes to agricultural producers and consumers. More than ever consumers want to know what they are eating; meanwhile, most are still disconnected without concern and/or buy without a choice. Connecting consumers to beef stock production is taking on a marketing profession all on its own. It is not as simple as welcoming consumers to the ranch or farm to see for themselves; it is taking the lifestyle to others through education. It also means showing others near and far how to manage their agricultural choice, especially with the large amounts of livestock and produce imports entering the U.S.

Native Arkansans Mark and Kathy Thompson of Pope County are new to farming, but raising Boer goats has proven to be a worthwhile endeavor on several accounts, the couple said.

Larry and his son, Eric Walker, of Willow Springs Ranch near Prairie Grove, Ark., like Maine-Anjou qualities when it comes to cross-breeding their Angus cattle.