Neighbors

"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.

Gene and Barbara Crowder continue to pass down a long family farm history through four generations. With the help of their daughter, Melanie McNeil, their grandchildren, Jeff and Tia Samuelson and Mat Meins, they operate eight broiler houses and raise Charolais cattle in Gentry, Ark.

Autumn Gregg talks about her sheep showing career in terms beyond her 12 years. “I feel like my name’s gotten out there,” said Autumn confidently.

James Clark Linthicum has been showing cattle since the age of 13. Getting his start in 4-H, he quickly started winning at several major shows. He began building a herd of Polled Herefords, one of which was the 1962 National Grand Champion.

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.

After retiring in 1992 from Wal-Mart as a store manager, Murle Gilbreath came back to Summers, Ark., where he was born and raised. He needed something to do, a hobby, so he decided to start raising cattle.

Karen Haralson received her first cow from her dad, Clarence Churchill, when she was 3 years old. Her family farm was purchased by her father in 1949, and after Karen’s dad retired, she took over the family’s operation. She also inherited property in Hector, Ark., which has been in her family since 1842.