The Path to Becoming a Farmer

Two couples, two very different success stories.

Young people often ask Farm Credit for the best way to start farming. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer.

The bad news is that land (when you can find it), livestock and equipment are expensive. The good news is that with passion, a plan, hard work, a good mentor and a bit of luck, there are still ways to make it happen in western Arkansas.

For some, it's almost in their DNA.

From childhood, Chrisie Smith had a long-standing goal – a career on the family ranch. She attended Arkansas Tech University but declined the opportunity to play basketball. Instead, while earning her agribusiness degree, she chose to return home every weekend to help her parents work cattle.

Schwerin Farms is 1,000 acres of rolling pastures in Gentry, AR. Today, it’s home to cattle, horses, a few dogs and three generations of Chrisie’s family.

Chrisie and her husband, Kaleb, met as youth and bonded over their shared passion for showing cattle. Their friendship grew and they married in 2010.

The Smith Family, young farmers in Gentry, AR

Luke Davis/Main Street Studios

Becoming farmers

A pivotal event paved the way for Chrisie’s goal of working on the family ranch full-time. The house and acreage adjoining her family’s ranch became available to purchase.

“It was a God thing,” Chrisie said, smiling and remembering the day her dream started becoming reality. Sitting in their now renovated farmhouse she added, “Coming back here has always been what I wanted to do. When this house and property became available, it all came together.”

Today, Chrisie, Kaleb and their boys, Paden (age 6) and Paxton (age 4), live on the ranch near her parents, Dennis and Marlene Schwerin. They work on the beef cattle ranch full-time, managing 250 cows with calves and 800 stocker cattle.

While the majority of the cattle are owned by Schwerin Farms, Kaleb and Chrisie have a satellite project of stockers and cow/calf pairs that functions within the larger operation.

“We added our own cattle to the herd because my dad believes if we’re invested, we’ll learn more than if we’re just doing the day-to-day maintenance,” Chrisie said.

Kaleb enjoys the challenge of managing their own cattle within the herd.

“It gives us more skin in the game and allows us to play the markets, see the feed conversions and understand the actual cost to run a farm,” he said.

While working with family can present challenges for some, Kaleb and Chrisie agree that it comes naturally for them. Chrisie says mutual respect is key.

“During the young farmer conference, Dr. Kohl mentioned that if you don’t move up into management within the first six years, you’re likely to leave the family farm,” she said, referencing the Farm Credit statewide Future Legacy Young, Beginning Farmer Conference she and Kaleb attended in February.

“But for me, it’s felt like Dad and I have talked through and made decisions together since day one,” she added.

Kaleb says he’s thankful for Dennis’ willingness to let the couple try new ideas.

“I thought we could save money and do a better job doing our own fertilizing and weed spraying. He was immediately on board. We got a new sprayer and he let me run with it,” Kaleb said. “If we think it’s a good investment, he’s definitely willing to let us try it.”

The family has found a way to recognize each other’s strengths.

“When we work cattle, we can do it without saying two words to one another,” Chrisie said. “We all know our positions. It’s routine now and nobody wants to slow the other down.”

Registered Brangus cows from the Smiths' herd.

Lindsey Holtzclaw/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

An important mentor

Working alongside Dennis has helped the Smiths grow as cattlemen.

“We are fortunate to have Dennis guiding us. He’s a huge role model, and we like being around him,” Kaleb said. “When he talks, we stop and we listen. It’s not like we’re working with family, it’s more like we’re working with a mentor.”

Paying their dues

Kaleb brings his own unique talents to the ranch. For the first five years of their marriage, he owned his own shop and worked full-time as an ATV/ motorcycle mechanic.

“The shop paid our living expenses at first,” Kaleb explained. “We had to have an outside gig to get started. Once we had enough equity and cattle, it was easier to take on the ranch full-time.”

Today, Kaleb still helps neighbors and friends by taking on a few projects a week. His mechanical abilities also come in handy for making repairs on their own equipment.

“My business philosophy has always been to focus on farmer needs,” he said. “They use their four-wheelers and side-by-sides every day to check cattle, go to the chicken houses, etc., so I do repairs quickly so they can have them back.”

A true partnership

The couple brings separate strengths to the ranch and embrace their differences.

“Kaleb is super ambitious while I’m more cautious,” Chrisie said. “We balance each other out.”

While their personalities mean they approach things differently, they share a passion for raising cattle and a common goal of producing a superior herd.

They both still frequent the show ring as open exhibitors and admit they’re excited for their sons to, hopefully, follow in mom and dad’s footsteps.

“In 2021, Paden will compete in his first National Junior Brangus Show, so the calves in the barn are legitimately his calves,” Chrisie said. “Building quality genetics so our kids can be successful in the show ring is a big goal of our operation.”

Networking on the show circuit has been a successful marketing tool for the farm.

“Our Brangus bulls have generations of genetics behind them,” Kaleb said. “It’s not a fluke that we have a good bull. There’s a lot that goes into breeding decisions.”

Their sons love the rural lifestyle and are showing signs that they will most likely enjoy showing cattle, as well.

Paxton is not yet in school. He spends his days on the farm with his parents and grandparents. Chrisie affectionately refers to it as preschool because he is learning on the ranch. Older brother Paden is in first grade.

Paxton helps feed his show cattle, loves riding in the tractors and spends a good portion of his time farming the carpet of the playroom with his 1/64-size farm equipment. Paden loves spending his summers tagging along with his dad as he works on mechanical projects and spending time in the hay field.

Paxton playing with his farm toys.

Lindsey Holtzclaw/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

Off-farm business interests

In addition to their on-farm responsibilities, the Smiths are also part-owners of Cattlemen’s Feed, LLC in Colcord, OK.

Seven area stocker producers opened the feed store in 2013 as a cost-effective way to feed their cattle. Today, the store has six owners, five employees and produces 1,000 tons of feed a month for nearly 800 customers.

Chrisie says that her involvement with the feed store has made her appreciate earning a degree in agribusiness.

“People would ask why I was going to college if I just wanted to work on the ranch. My parents are college educated so, in my mind, if I wanted their job I needed to be at least as qualified as they are,” she explained.

“My advice to young people who want to return to the farm would be to get your education,” she added. “Some people will say it’s for a fallback plan, but in my opinion, if you’re going to run it like a business, then you need to be business certified. You might think your classes don’t apply, but I never dreamed we would own a feed store.”

Challenges

Although the Smiths are living their dream, their operation still comes with its share of challenges.

“I think our biggest struggle working as a family is shutting off,” Chrisie said. “It can be hard separating from the work because work is never done. We have to make the conscious decision to take a day off and do something fun with the boys.’”

Another challenge is one that many farm families can relate to – discussing succession planning. “It’s hard,” Chrisie said. “Dad is still active on the farm and those conversations do not come easy, but planning for the future is a part of any successful business.”

Farm Credit’s role

Becoming a Farm Credit member was an additional way Chrisie followed in her parents’ footsteps. Her parents are long-time members and even helped her get a youth loan for a 4-H livestock project. “I’m thankful for that experience,” Chrisie said. “It helped me establish those relationships and understand how financing works.”

Siloam Springs Vice President and branch manager Savannah Dickinson has watched Chrisie grow with her parents’ operation.

“I’ve known Chrisie for a long time. I remember when she first came in with her dad. It’s been a joy to see her role on the farm evolve and to work with her and Kaleb as they’ve grown their own operation,” Savannah said.

Chrisie said having a lender who is familiar with the area and their operation is beneficial.

“It’s great to be able to call or text Savannah for answers,” Chrisie said. “I’ve never even considered financing with a bank. The relationship we’ve established with Farm Credit is a valuable asset.”

The Smiths with Vice President and branch manager Savannah Dickinson.

Lindsey Holtzclaw/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

For others, it’s a conscious choice and change of lifestyle.

Neither Jesse nor Jennifer Abbott of Malvern had a farming background. Their dream of farming came from a desire to raise their family in the country.

Short-term sacrifice for long-term gain

The young family set their sights on buying a farm while living abroad. Jesse’s job took them overseas for three years. While they value the experience, their time out of the country was a sacrifice for the couple who had three children at the time. They were away from extended family and there were definite trade-offs. Their time away solidified their desire to move back to western Arkansas and buy a farm. They used their time overseas as an opportunity to save toward a farm, and their future.

“We were missing the hills, green grass and fields and just the look of home,” explained Jesse who grew up in the Crystal Springs and Royal area.

“Having our own land and a place where the kids could be outside and play like kids became our dream,” added Jennifer who was raised in Cabot.

And that little bit of luck

Jesse has an engineering degree from Arkansas Tech University and his job in the petroleum engineering field allows the couple to live anywhere. Their dream came to fruition when Jesse learned his great-uncle’s 86-acre farm was for sale in Hot Spring County. The farm’s location is also convenient for Jennifer who is a registered nurse at CHI St. Vincent’s in Hot Springs.

While it was family land, Jesse says he didn’t want to jump into buying it for that reason alone. They began looking a year before they moved back to the U.S. and considered several options. Ultimately, Jennifer says it was turning down the driveway and seeing the golden yellow fall foliage of their large, stately oak tree that sealed the deal for her. At that moment, it felt like home, they agreed.

The farm features a home, pastureland, a pristine creek and significant Ouachita River frontage. Children Luke (age 12), Savannah (age 9), Sadie (age 4) and J.J. (age 20 months) are quick to lead the way across the field to their favorite beach and fishing hole.

Sadie enjoying springtime on the farm.

Jill Robertson/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

Jesse and Jennifer spent a year remodeling the farmhouse before moving in. They did much of the work themselves and with the help of Jesse’s father who, interestingly, did the original stonework on the house for Jesse’s great-uncle. The Abbott family made their permanent move to the farm in February and the Abbotts say it has been a game-changer for the family of six.

“The kids are loving it,” shared Jennifer. “This is the lifestyle we wanted for our family. It’s a big deal to get our kids away from their electronics and give them a place to be outside and explore,” Jennifer continued.

“Plus, our families are close,” added Jesse. “Grandparents and extended family are nearby and that’s something we value.”

According to Jennifer, the children quickly adapted to their new lifestyle, choosing to be a part of feeding the cows and goats and farm chores.

“When they said we were moving to a farm I imagined it’d be really fun and I immediately thought about having cows,” detailed daughter Savannah.

“That’s Lucille,” Savannah smiled and pointed to one of her herd favorites, affirming that she is, in fact, enjoying all the farm offers.

Son Luke grins from behind the steering wheel of an all-terrain vehicle in the driveway. He’s eager to finish

the interview so he can speed across the field and join his uncle and grandparents at his favorite fishing hole on the river. Like all good fisherman, Luke is allusive about its exact location on the property.

Abbott kids tossing rocks in the creek that runs along the family's property.

Jill Robertson/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

Paying their dues

In addition to remodeling the home themselves, they are learning how to raise cattle.

The Abbotts have an 85-head cow/calf operation of primarily Herefords and cross-bred cattle. Three goats, two dogs and a cat round out the animals requiring regular meals. In addition to pasture for the cattle, the farm includes hay fields.

“Right now we’re trying to learn all we can,” Jennifer shared.

They both maintain full-time off-farm jobs. Coupled with raising four small children, there’s little freetime in their current schedules. The flip side is that full-time off-farm income supports the family while their cattle operation is growing.

“I bought used equipment and now find myself becoming an expert at fixing used equipment,” Jesse chuckled.

Jesse’s comment points to the couple’s resourceful spirit. They actively look for ways to learn. They found, applied online for, and attended Farm Credit’s recent Future Legacy Young, Beginning Farmer Conference.

The Abbott family with Vice President and branch manager Rachael Godwin.

Jill Robertson/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

An important mentor

“I have a friend of my father’s I call with questions about the cattle,” Jesse added. “He’s been a great resource on this learning curve.”

Future plans

Walking along the edge of the river and looking back across a flat, wide field, Jennifer shares her future dream for their property.

“This is the perfect spot for a wedding and event venue one day,” Jennifer said. “I think it’d be a wonderful way to share this with people.”

While the couple says they are not in any hurry to add to their current business plan, the resourceful couple has the idea in the back of their minds for when the time is right.

Farm Credit’s role

“At first we were working with a local bank,” Jesse said. “We didn’t know who Farm Credit was. We needed a loan and just went to the bank. The bank was going to separate the house and land into two loans and that didn’t sit well with us.”

“Our realtor suggested we talk to Farm Credit,” he explained.

“Rachael was the only person who understood our situation and offered a solution,” shared Jesse in reference to Vice President and branch manager Rachael Godwin of the Arkadelphia branch office. “Farm Credit offered us flexibility and a competitive rate.”

“I had a lot of questions and soon realized she was a good resource,” continued Jennifer. “She made the entire process easier.”

#810 is the friendliest of the herd, say the Abbott girls.

Jill Robertson/Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

It’s encouraging to see there’s more than one path to becoming a farmer. It’s even more exciting to see young people embracing their dreams and putting down roots on western Arkansas farms.

Story and photos by Jill Robertson and Lindsey Holtzclaw.