Neighbors

The offices of Gordon Hart’s Romart, Inc., a structural steel erection business covering nearby states, is on Route 62 in Farmington, Ark. The secret, however, is housed in the connected Quonset building behind the offices. Here is the heart of Gordon’s John Deere restoration hobby.

The challenge of operating a successful Dorper sheep breeding herd on only 7 acres of Bentonville, Ark., ground is daunting but highly achievable for Nick and Loraine Venter. They came to the U.S. from South Africa in 1989, and Nick ministered in Bastrop, La., for a non denominational church. Then the Venters relocated to Bentonville 18 years ago. When Nick and Loraine came to this country, they brought with them their family and good sheep experience.

Ray Gack’s experience with cattle started back when he was in high school, “I was milking for a friend, the last three years of high school, says Ray. I would get up at 4:00 a.m. and milk about 70 cows and go home and shower and go to school. After school I got into the dairy business on my own, and milked till 1985.”

Located on a curve of the Little Sac River sits a stable. It’s a peaceful scene: horses grazing and birds singing. At first glance, Sac River Stables outside of Springfield, Mo., in Greene County appears to be the ideal place to ride. And it is, with beautiful trails and two riding arenas. But it's more than that – it’s also an ideal place to worship.

What started as a hobby project has grown exponentially into something much more rewarding for Michael Hinton and family of West Plains, Mo., in central Howell County. “I always wanted an antique tractor, so when I got the chance to buy a 1949 Farmall Cub, I took the chance,” he explained.

Shortly after Sylvester Burd returned from World War II to his Phillipsburg, Mo., home in Laclede County, he and his brother, Neil visited a neighbor with the intention of buying his farm. “We came down and talked to him about it. He said he would take $11,000. In a few days he came over where we lived, a quarter of a mile from here, and he said if we wanted that place he would take $9,000 for it – house, barn and all. He said, ‘I want you boys to have it,’” related Sylvester. Sylvester purchased the farm in the spring of 1946.

For Jeremy Prater, everything depends on good dirt and good grass.

Lori Brown used to teach communications at Greenwood Public Schools. Now she tends her flock so she can spend more time with her family. Lori and her husband, Stan, keep almost 60 wool sheep, along with some goats, a few hair sheep, and a small herd of cattle on 20 acres near Greenwood, Ark.

One continual concern for all farmers is safety. Lori Brown-Whillock from Gentry, Ark., is an Arkansas State Trooper with an extensive background in farm safety both personally and professionally.

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate byword at Pasture Nectar Farm in Lawrence County.