Missouri Neighbors

The name Hammond is synonymous with several different things, especially in Licking, Mo. In the 60s it meant Hammond Post & Lumber – on Highway 63 north of Licking. For over 30 years, the late Bill Hammond sold thousands upon thousands of all sizes of penta-treated posts and lumber all over the Midwest.

"If you don't grow it, you don’t know what goes on your table.” Growing it yourself is exactly what Len Pense, of Pensaroda Farm, teaches the horticulture knowledge seekers who brave the steep, rocky, bumpy road to his hilltop garden haven.

Gary Boggs of rural Dallas County is a man of many interests and talents. He and his wife, Cecile, live on 1,100 acres, several miles outside of Urbana, close to both the Hickory and Camden county lines. “The land is about half-open, half-timber,” Gary explained recently, “and right now I have about 60 head of commercial momma cows. I’m down right now because I just sold a bunch of steers. I’ve had up to 250 head and was planning on gearing down, maybe getting out as I got older but as prices rose, I thought I might stay in a little longer. My brother, Ron is helping me now and if he wants to continue, I’ll stay with it.”

Among the hills, creeks and timbers of the beautiful Ozarks in Barry County, Cherry Warren has successfully grown and maintained a farm operation which he has managed with a vision of deep diversity. Cherry, who has always had a love for farming, got his start with the ownership of 137 acres in Exeter, Mo., in 1965. “There was a little house on the property with two small bedrooms. That's where we lived for the first few years. Those were some of the best years of my life," said Cherry, speaking of wife, Ann, and their two young daughters who are now grown with families of their own. Since that time, Cherry has kept beef cattle as a source of income and to help pay for his property as his operation has developed and grown over the years. “When I wanted to buy a piece of property, I made sure I had cattle to put on it. With cattle there is always a payday.”

When you hear the words ‘Texas Longhorn,’ an image of hundreds of cattle being driven across the plains by cowboys probably comes to mind. John Wyatt’s herd of Longhorn cross cattle in Protem, Mo., roam the Ozark hills instead of the open plains, but many of the cattle characteristics are still the same.

Entrepreneur Shawn Briggs, of Aurora, Mo., prefers to dabble in multiple types of business. He credits his work ethic to the example his parents set forth. The same example Shawn and his wife, Terri, hope to give to their three sons, Gavin, 14, Spencer, 12 and Larson, 8. “Farming is a great way to install work ethic and it is a really good experience for our boys,” said Shawn.

Buck Ridge Limousin, located near Rogersville, Mo., in Greene County, is owned by Mark Haden. He calls his son, Logan, the ranch manager and said he is an integral part of the operation. “Logan has enjoyed it ever since we started. He’s involved in every aspect,” Mark said.

Mark Gronniger grew up in Dallas County but went into farming with a plan, as he put it, while he was still serving with the Marines. Kim, originally a city girl from Iowa, stated she met her husband while living on an Iowa farm, when he was working as a Marine recruiter there. “He recruited me, too,” she laughed. Afterwards, Mark and Kim came home to Dallas County where they raised four children on their 420 acres, outside Long Lane, Mo. Today, all but one has left home. Mark and Kim are raising 110 momma cows, calves and Red Angus bulls.

Bob Redfearn, or “California Bob” as he is known around Polk County was raised on a farm around Ft. Scott, Kan. He enjoyed the farm, but didn’t give it much thought when he left the farm when he was 20 years old to move to California to pursue his career. Bob was a roofing contractor and owned a variety of businesses during the 50 years he was gone.

Show winners. Best of Breed. Texas Grand Champion… all right here in this area at Rooster Ridge Farm located in Texas County southeast of Houston, Mo. Dr. David Dale and his wife, Carol, raise Fox Trotter horses, Gaited Mules and Sicilian Miniature Donkeys. They have a medical practice in Houston, but when they come home it is boots and jeans.