The Kinmans have a diverse livestock operation in Gasconade County, Missouri.

By Jessica Claypole, FSA

Meet Eric and Amy Kinman, owners of Meadowlark Farm, a regenerative farming operation located in rural Gasconade County, Missouri. Rooted on eight acres, Meadowlark Farm began with just six head of heritage breed feeder pigs in 2013. Today, six head of hogs are shipped to the processor every two weeks.  

Hog Wild

“The pigs were my idea, although growing up, my family raised cows, sheep, and goats – no hogs,” Amy said. “My husband had experience raising hogs with his extended family, so I relied on him to learn the ropes of raising pigs.”

The current operation consists of Red Wattle and Large Black heritage hog breeds, which are rare but intentionally chosen by the Kinmans to fulfill their goal of carrying on diversified farming practices and producing superior meats. In addition to hogs, the Kinmans have incorporated Angus, South Poll, and Pinzgauer cattle breeds into their operation. Continue reading →

Bill Cooper, a cattle farmer from Wythe County, Virginia.

By: Aaron Blackburn and Hanna Collins, FSA

Bill Cooper, is a cattle farmer from Wythe County, Virginia, where he raises Angus cattle on the same land that his family has operated since 1941. Bill lives on the farm with his son, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Improving the Farm

On the route traveling south from Wytheville, there is an abundance of cattle operations as far as the eye can see. One of these farms belongs Bill, which can be easily identified by the tree tubes that lead to his farm entrance.

Bill turned eight acres of his farm into buffer areas with the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency. CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program, a voluntary program that provides yearly rental payments to farmers who agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Continue reading →

USDA programs have helped Chris improve environmental health on his land.

By: Anna Kearney, FSA

Christopher Sumpter Jr. is a fourth-generation farmer from Borden, South Carolina, where he raises Hereford and Black Angus cattle. Chris is continuing his family’s legacy, running a cow-calf operation and working daily in the pastures.

Preserving Natural Resources

Chris participates in programs from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. With the help of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Chris was able to install fencing, pipeline, water wells and troughs to help his livestock operation. Continue reading →

Phil and Dawn Keppler raise registered and commercial Hereford beef cattle on their farm, as well as corn and hay.

By Lynnette Wright, FSA

Phil and Dawn Keppler of SK Herefords in Medina, New York, raise registered and commercial Hereford beef cattle on their farm, as well as corn and hay. Located about halfway between Rochester and Buffalo, their location provides a great opportunity to direct market their beef at farmers markets. Continue reading →

Tommy Turner Jr. had many opportunities after college, but the dream of farming kept drawing him.

By Danny Hoots, FSA

Tommy Turner Jr., is a new farmer who operates near Eudora, Arkansas. Many doors of opportunity opened for Tommy when he graduated college, but it was the dream of farming that called him back home.

Where the Story Begins

Growing up in southeast Arkansas, agriculture has always been a part of Tommy’s life. His father worked for a local farmer and Tommy attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, majoring in agribusiness. As a student, Tommy worked for the university as an assistant plant pathologist, gaining valuable knowledge and experience.

After graduation, he had many job opportunities and offers, but the dream of farming kept drawing him.

“It was something that I just loved to do,” Tommy said. “I told myself my senior year of college if I love what I do, I’ll never work a day of my life.” Continue reading →

Ian and Stesha Campbell established their 6-acre oyster farming operation in 2015. Photo courtesy of Ian and Stesha Campbell.

By Leila Naylor, FSA

Ian and Stesha Campbell are siblings and owners of Mooresfield Oyster Farm located in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Ian starts off every morning commercial fishing, followed by an afternoon of helping his sister tend to their oyster farm.

Learning the Ropes

Ian learned about oyster farming in 2013 by observing his boss growing oysters. After that, Ian was hooked on the idea and decided to open a business of his own, but he needed help running it. That is when he asked Stesha if she was interested in joining him with his new venture.

“At first, I thought my brother was kidding, but soon realized how serious he really was about the idea,” Stesha said. Continue reading →

The Burns Paiute tribe has established itself as an active conservation partner in eastern Oregon

By Kathy Ferge, USDA

One of the state’s smaller tribes, the Burns Paiute tribe has established itself as an active conservation partner in eastern Oregon.

The tribe worked with the Bonneville Power Administration to purchase two off-reservation properties through the Wildlife Mitigation Program. These properties include Logan Valley in Grant County and Jonesboro in Malheur County. They also purchased property in Beech Creek in Grant County working with a traditional mortgage through Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Continue reading →

The Schweizer family, including sons Nick and Cory, manage a diverse farming operation in northwest Missouri.

By Dana Rogge, USDA

Meet the Schweizer family of northwest Missouri. The Friday after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday shopping season, and for the Schweizers, it’s opening day for Christmas tree season on the farm.

Business Evolution

 The Schweizer’s farm has been in continuous operation since the early 1900s. Today, Steve and Becky Schweizer, along with their sons, Cory and Nick and their families, operate a diverse farming operation that includes traditional row-crops of corn and soybeans, as well as apples, peaches, and various other seasonal fruits and vegetables. Continue reading →

Allen and Emmy Widman manage a chicken layer flock and raise several hundred broiler chickens and turkeys.

By Gina Kerzman, USDA

Allen and Emmy Widman, of Palouse Pasture Poultry in Rosalia, Washington, raise annual grain crops, manage a chicken layer flock, and raise several hundred broiler chickens and turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Season to Season

The Widmans built a Washington State Department of Agriculture-licensed processing plant, one of the only plants left in Eastern Washington.

The family raises poultry during the warmer months of the year. Turkeys, which average around 15 pounds each, are available in November and December. This year, they raised over 300 turkeys. Continue reading →