Missouri Neighbors

For 100 years five generations of the Buckner family has cared for the land and livestock and sold milk on their farm in Fair Grove, Mo. It all started when William Franklin Bucker and wife, Tina, purchased 60 acres in 1914. During William’s lifetime he increased the farm size to 160 acres. William passed away in the farmhouse on July 15, 1966, at 76 years old.

The beginning of fall ushers in an additional flurry of activity for a family of farmers in southwest Missouri. This family of educators, from teachers to administrators, witness a spike in the off-the-farm workload this time of year, as students return to the classroom. As for their farm work, it keeps the Wilson families busy all year long.

All of Cody Gariss’ cattle have heterosis.

It wasn’t that long ago that Ellen Replogle found herself listening to missionaries speak at her home church, Oak Grove Baptist in rural Laclede County, about the fantastic things a person can accomplish when they share their personal passion in a way that promotes the love of God. Ellen recalled, “They talked about different people and their passions, one that established a sports mission program overseas and another whose love of reading helped start a literacy program that teaches people to read. I remember sitting in that church pew thinking ‘but what can a 50-year-old housewife who has no intention of traveling to another country, possibly do?’”

Jon and Lindsey Cartwright of Webster County, both grew up with agricultural backgrounds, an important aspect of their lives that they are proud to share with their young children, 2 1/2-year-old son, Yates and 7-month-old daughter, Yardley.

Randall Pemberton grew up around the cattle business. His dad, Duane, has been in the business of buying cattle for 50 years and Randall said, “I just came in and started helping.”

From commercial herds to show-driven breeding programs, Josh Stephans of Elkland, Mo., has experienced a lot for a young farmer. “I’ve seen many different management practices,” shared Josh. “I now know how I want to develop my herd and management program.”

According to Jim Vavruska, “Yes dear. That’s the key to staying married for 50 years.” Jim and his wife, Pat, own a 142-acre dairy farm 4 miles west of Rader, Mo. The couple has been married for over 50 years and they’ve milked cows just as long. If you do the math, the Vavruskas have made over 36,500 trips to the milk barn, and it’s all coming to an end when spring arrives. Four years ago, the couple sold their Holstein bull and bought a registered Angus bull. The result, a very slow transition to a stock-cow operation that has narrowed their herd of Holsteins down to 14 milking cows and 6 dry, in preparation for their retirement. In addition to their dairy cows, the pair has built up a herd of about 50 stock cows through their method of transition.

Bryan Nelson believes operating a farm takes a lot of heart and he exudes plenty of passion when it comes to caring for his flock of sheep. But this shepherd also utilizes his off-the-farm knowledge to guide his farming decisions. “I am a ceramic engineer from the University of Missouri-Rolla. I have spent a lot of my career in research and science. So the genetics fascinate me,” Bryan explained. Bryan, his wife Debra, along with daughters, Sarah and Abbie, raise Fullblood, Purebred and Percentage Dorper sheep on their 27-acre farm in Bolivar, Mo. In 2005, the family moved to Bolivar from Portland, Ore., to fulfill Bryan’s childhood dream of returning to the Show-Me state and owning a farm.