Missouri Neighbors

Sometimes, in order for someone to succeed in life, all they need is a chance.

Karla Johnson greets most visitors with a smile, a wave and an invitation to meet her in her horse barn.

When brothers Daniel and Bryn Anderson were kids, they fully embraced life on the farm.

Most of the time when farmers buy a new base farm, many buildings need excessive refurbishing, pastures need re-fencing and facilities need to be reorganized even if they are all in good shape in order to meet the needs of the new owners. Lori and Wess Peterson of Neosho, Mo., had no such problem when they purchased a 25-acre facility previously owned by a retired veterinarian who often did long-term care.

Billy Bolch is a self-proclaimed beef eater.
“I think beef should be served three times a day,” he said with a laugh.

Michele Broxton of Rolla, Mo., operates Broxton Cattle Company in Phelps County, Mo. and her mantra is “Never underestimate the power of a woman with a prayer and a plan.”

Horses, goats and show dogs. That’s how Brenda Murray of rural Dallas County outside Urbana, Mo., characterizes life on her family’s 84 acres.

Over 40 years ago Jerry and Betty Laughlin took their passion for horses and hard working spirit and developed a business that now involves three generations.

Al and Pat Chapman’s farm is nestled in a valley outside of Anderson, Mo. Pat said, “When Al’s grandfather first drove on this land over 100 years ago, he was eye-to-eye with a walnut tree that now towers over the house and protectively shades it during the hot summer months.” The original Chapman homestead was 80 acres but divided during the Depression by a WPA project road. Later the acreage was expanded to 120 as Al grew up. When Al took over the farm, he added more acreage until now the Chapman farm is 340 acres and home to a commercial cattle herd.

Opportunity in farming and agriculture gives people ability to choose what works for them. Sue Beagle, of Exeter, Mo., chose raising broiler chickens because it was something she could do for herself, and it was something she could do into her retirement years.