Neighbors

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.

When the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders gallop into an arena the audience holds its breath, mouths drop and eyes pop wide. The stunts these riders accomplish make even their own parents nervous, really nervous. “My parents have only been to two or three performances,” admitted Ashlee Hearod. With stunts called “Suicide Drag,” “Under the Neck,” and “Full fender,” who could blame them? The Trixie Chicks Trick Riders may sound like a group of daredevils looking for a thrill but this is not the case. The riders are all Missouri State University students or recent graduates with a deep love for horses and a burning passion for pushing the limits. “It is such an unique sport. It is so challenging and I wanted to be a part of something that not many people do as their sport,” said Katy Tennison.

The quality and success of any cattle operation depends on the animal science knowledge of the owner as much as it depends on the marketing of their beef program. The sales or services can vary through production/consignment sales or through a private treaty.

Running a commercial herd of a little over a 100 head of fullblood Limousin cattle is what keeps Richard Nelson, 88, of Chelsea, Okla., on one side of the road or the other. It also attributed to him being named the Fullblood Limousin Commercial Producer of the Year. His calf crop consists of both spring and fall breeding which are separated by a dirt road. “I keep my fall crop on one side of the road and my spring crop on the other. Depending on the season, I keep the breeding crop closer to me to keep a better eye on them,” said Richard.

Troy and Beverly Stout live south of West Fork, Ark., on 60 acres where they raise both Beefmaster and commercial cattle. Beverly said, “I bought 1 acre years before I married Troy because I love living in the country, but when we married we purchased additional land for grazing cattle.”

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.

Gene Longcrier’s father was ranch manager for the Colcord Ranch; a 2,000-acre cattle ranch owned by legendary lawman and oilman Charles F. Colcord. “I was born a few miles from here. I attended grade school at Minnehaha three or four miles out of Colcord. I finished high school at Kansas, Okla.,” Gene Longcrier said. “So I have been around here early on and we came back here when we retired after 30 years with Dow Chemical Company in the oil field division.” Gene and his wife, Zella, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in August. They have three children, five grandkids and four great grandkids.

Frog Bayou Farms bridges the gap between city and farm life. Owners Sean and Stephanie Brister farm 600 acres that span from within the city limits on Main Street in Alma, Ark., to the surrounding rural countryside in Crawford County. The Bristers and their two young sons, Ross, 8 and Wyatt, 6, are passionate about farming and welcome the public to enjoy and learn about many of the crops and livestock that are integral to Arkansas’ economy each fall.