Arkansas Neighbors

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.

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.

Herd health is a primary issue for Claire Whiteside and her husband, Jim, when raising Boer meat goats in the Ozarks. The Whiteside’s raise their goats on 25 acres in Boone County, just south of Harrison.

When Tom Leatherman says he is the best thing that ever happened to Kathy Bonneson, she smiles that smile all of us men know means, “Yeah, right.” This must be the reason they have a lively relationship.

Native Arkansans Mark and Kathy Thompson of Pope County are new to farming, but raising Boer goats has proven to be a worthwhile endeavor on several accounts, the couple said.

The perfect name for Larry Thornton’s obsession is found at the top of his monthly column in Working Horse magazine, “The Working Lines.” Devoted to the research and documentation of equine pedigree lines in the world of quarter horses since his first column printed in 1984, Thornton is widely considered an expert in his field. 

Less than a mile from David and Gayla Holcombe’s home near Jay, Okla. is the schoolhouse where David’s grandparents and mother taught. Following in their footsteps, David earned his degree in Agriculture Education, which he taught for 20 years. Although David no longer teaches vocational agriculture, he has dedicated his farm to “educational demonstration”. They have participated in field days and hosted tour groups to observe conservation practices. He also serves on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture.