Missouri Neighbors

The tales that Jerry Crownover documents in his column Life is Simple have brought Ozarks farmers laughs throughout the years and stories to be passed on at local coffee shops in every small town. Friends getting their tractors stuck in frozen ponds, dead cows sliding down the hill or even memories of what he learned as an agriculture teacher about the real way to farm – Jerry has shared much insight about rural life and the changes in the industry. But, what about the man behind Life is Simple?

Kenneth Gossard’s Texas County sheep wasn’t something that he thought would stick around, after moving to Princeton, N.J. “I am a manager on a dairy, sheep and hog farm there, working with the dairy and consulting for possible dairy goats they are looking at.” But, even though he lives in New Jersey the majority of the time, he still manages his flock near Willow Springs, Mo. “Basically I come back a couple times of year, specifically for the sheep,” Kenneth said. He raises the sheep for the wool and as freezer lambs.

Across the Ozarks, many producers are working hard studying the newest technology and the latest trends, doing whatever they can to get the most out of their herds, and they reap the benefits. However, there are also producers pursuing a different path, and they are also richly rewarded for their efforts. Ron and Shirley Peckman of Prairie Creek Ranch fall into this category.

Married 40 years, Rob and Peggy Appleby have lived on their 120-acre farm near Conway, Mo., for the past 12 years. Around 80 head of Simmental and Gelbvieh cattle roam the family farm.

"Twenty years ago, I intended to raise chickens until I retired,” said David Brittenham of Purdy, Mo. “Ten years ago I began worrying about the industry, and my fear today is that my houses will be deemed obsolete before I can retire.”

People raise livestock for many different reasons. Some keep animals around because they are what they grew up with, while others use them to take advantage of their land or resources. Some people have livestock for a hobby or something to do in their free time, and some people buy animals because they really want them, and then, their animals become their passion.

Long before the temperature mellows, the grass greens and buds begin, Brad Ketterhagen has been preparing for spring's arrival.

"We want to continue to do a better job each year,” explained Cindy Ulm of C/S Cattle of Pomona, Mo. “We hope to always have cattle and are always striving to do things better with better outcomes than the year before.”

"We will probably be raising goats from now on, as the third generation is close to being ready to start showing goats,” said Lori Peterson of Show Me Boers in Newton County, Mo. She is talking about her 5-year-old granddaughter, who loves to come and help with the chores.

Raised on a dairy farm just outside of Purdy, Mo., Doug Clifton knows about hard work and cows. He continued to milk with his dad, Loren, for 5 years after he got out of high school. He took a job at Jack Henry, thinking “9 to 5 with weekends off sounds good.” He worked there for 4 1/2 years. "I missed the farm,” Doug said. It was at Jack Henry where he met his wife, Leslea. She had always dreamed of raising a family on a farm and so the dream for the two began.