Living by the Weather

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The farm of Randy and Cheryl West is in a serene section of the Viney Grove area in Prairie Grove, Ark. The tract was originally purchased by Robert West just before the Civil War and has been in West hands ever since. Randy and Cheryl’s twin daughters were the fifth generation to be raised on the farm.

Teaching Through Tractors

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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.

Depending on Dorper

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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.

Keeping the Memory Alive

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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.”

Depending on Good Dirt

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

Getting Wrapped Up in Wool

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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.

Knowing Your Limitations

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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.

…And a Side of Fries for My Goat

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Back in 2002 Silvia Shirley joined 4-H and decided to raise a goat. The next year she acquired one more, then four more, then nine. Now Silvia and her mom, Nancy, by birthing and buying, have a herd of about 45 LaMancha milk goats.

Daring to Diversify

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Oldest daughter Sydnie seems well beyond her 14 years, especially when it comes to handling horses.

Returning to the Family Tradition

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When Dale Johnston went off to college, he had no plans of returning to his multi-generational ranch. Dale was a business major in college, and didn't have anything to do with the agriculture field. “When I left home for college, my intention was not to come back. Got out in the real world, and found out ranching wasn't so bad after all.”

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