Missouri Neighbors

Where Bill and Linda Yarberry live might be similar to a small village. Their mailing address says Milo, but Milo has only about 90 people and takes up a whopping 52 acres of land just east of I-49 in Vernon County, between Lamar and Nevada, Mo.

One glance across the beautiful golden green rolling hills that make up the 2,500 acre Rambling River Ranch owned by Jerry and Gisela Hiland in rural Camden County explains why the former California residents bought this land and traveled back and forth for years, beginning in 1978. “I’m a pilot and I’d fly back every few weeks,” the now retired, full-time Missouri resident and cattle rancher explained recently while sitting in his home with his own panoramic view of the Ozarks. “I was in the retail business back then, working for IBM and then operating a chain of retail cigar stores. My son still has a cigar store in Scottsdale, Ariz., and does a big mail order business but I always had a love for the cattle business. I did my research before buying and although it varies a bit, Missouri is always one of the top states for cattle and cow-calf operations.

John and Joy Dees own 300 acres and lease an additional 2,000 acres in Powersite, Mo., not far from Branson. The land has been in the family since the early 1900s when John’s grandfather bought the first 80 acres. John said, “This land has been as important as a location for raising our families as for raising cattle. A lot of people have grown up here. In fact, we now have three households on the land.” John and Joy have three children and one granddaughter who lives in town but loves riding in the Kubota, being around cattle and enjoying the country. Family is the center of everything and John readily admits that he couldn’t farm without extended family members helping work cattle, build fence or whatever else needs to be done.

Farming in the 21st century takes hard work, direction and goals. Spencer Rawlins, who farms near Pierce City, Mo., is a farmer for the new century. Spencer has wanted to farm since helping his father on the farm when he was a boy. But, with his aim set at farming with intent, he knew that would take perspective beyond the farm he had grown up on. “It’s important to work for someone else and learn what other farmers are doing. Otherwise, we don’t improve.” At a young age, Spencer started working with large dairy farms nearby.

Bill Berry never considered himself to be a numbers guy until he became a program participant with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Seven years ago Rick Kelley, of Mansfield, Mo., stepped into a volunteer role that would have a huge impact on the production of his farm.

Mark and Kathy Windsor learned the business side of buying, selling and marketing in their original enterprise, National TV Sales and Rental in Lebanon, Mo. This past January, they turned that business over to two of their grown children, son, Aaron Windsor and his wife, and daughter, Michelle Jackson and her husband. Now they are working on applying those same lessons to their cattle business in eastern Laclede County.

Lavern Madison of Cassville, Mo., has handled horses his whole life, and is a native of southwest Missouri. “I was born and raised in Galena Hollow, went to Haley School until seventh grade. Then we moved to Oak Ridge and me, my two brothers and sister went to Oak Ridge School where I graduated at 16,” said Lavern.

In the early 1980s, the Keller family traveled to Missouri from eastern Colorado to check out the farming industry in this area. This family consisted of Tony and Rita and their four children Mark, Sherry and twin boys, Keith and Kevin.

Selling Beef with Taste
“Our beef is not your conventional beef from the grocery or restaurant. It’s beef you will remember. It’s got a taste to it.”