Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Newspaper – written for, by & about farmers

Name:  Bruce Anderson



Parker Animal Clinic

Owner:  Shane Parker, DVM
Location:  Hwy 64, Clarksville, Ark.

I got to visit with different folks up at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, Mo., this year; I hope you didn’t miss it. I know Arkansans get up there, because I see you showing, and hear of the good results that come from the northwest Arkansas’ showmen and women. Well, I have to say, I was really impressed with one of the exhibits I saw up there. In the breezeway off the north side of the arena up there was a small petting zoo where livestock and farm machinery were showcased, complete with educational posters. These posters explained the difference between a heifer and a steer, told how much water a cow drinks and displayed a lot of other good-to-know farm facts. Several local FFA chapters and farm families staffed the area. These kinds of public relations thrusts are essential to our industry’s success in an ever-urbanizing world.

The efforts of the American people forced the U. S. House of Representatives to look real hard at the administration’s and congressional leadership’s energy bill. Lots of trading went on before the vote, and they tell me that the bill is riddled with pork barrel projects. The biggest good thing is many of the electric coop members have been spared the brunt of the bill by the actions of folks that had you and me in mind. Not entirely, but in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and eastern Oklahoma most of us can breathe some easier. It passed the house by six votes, not much when the majority party exceeds the other one by such a large margin. If we all tell our U.S. Senators to look out for us we should get an even better energy bill in the end.

Judy got home from work on Thursday afternoon, quickly changed into her work clothes and proceeded to do some yard work. When I got in from the fields about 6 p.m. and sat down at the kitchen table to drink some iced tea, I heard the back door slam and the sound of Judy’s footsteps walking much faster than normal. I looked up as she entered the kitchen to see her hair all messed up, her arms flailing around her head, her face reddened, missing a shoe and her glasses, with a hint of tears rolling down her cheek. “They got me good!” she exclaimed with a quivering voice as she headed for the garage.

For Dave and Pam White, the farm is their place to be in life, but they didn’t always know it.