meet your Photo by Julie Turner-Crawford
neighbors The Francis triplets are the fourth generation to live and work on the family farm. Pictured, from left, are Paris, Ariel and Isaiah. All are members of 4-H and Isaiah is a member of the Stoutland FFA.
A Triple Threat By Laura L. Valenti
The Francis triplets are fourth-generation farmers, and show livestock at area fairs Paris, Isaiah and Ariel Francis, 15-year-old triplets from Stoutland, for the 2020 show season. Isaiah’s steer was sixth in its class and the steer shown by Paris Mo., are the fourth generation to live and work on their family’s 400- stood third in its class. The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in school leaves more time for outside farm acre farm. While their father Josh Francis, their grandfather Jerry, their uncle Zech and great chores and activities, which are often more appealing to the average teenaged farm uncle Chris, operate the larger farm, the triplets and their parents live on 80 acres. Josh youth than paperwork, computers and their related pursuits. The Francis family also raises hay and their farm is home to a dozen head of cattle, a also works in construction and mom Natasha does some childcare in their home and couple of horses and 30 chickens. raises dogs. “We have shown pigs at the Richland (Tri-County) Fair, the Laclede County Fair and Since they were 6 years old, the Francis triplets have been involved in showing pigs, the Missouri State Fair,” Isaiah said. including crossbred Yorkshires and Hampshires. As far as their long range future plans, the three all have different dreams and ideas of “Right now, I have three crossbred Yorkshires,” Isaiah, who does the family’s AI work for their pigs, explained. “My grandpa has one sow and two boars. I also have raise cross- what they might like to do. Isaiah is the first to say, he would like to find a long range future in agriculture as well as an additional career although at this stage in his life, bred show pigs.” he’s not sure what that might be. “Isaiah pays all of his own expenses on these pigs as well as doing the work, like “I want to be a veterinarian,” Paris said. She said she would be interested in working AI and taking care of them,” Natasha explained. “When he needs feed or other with both large animals on the farm, as well as smaller animals like dogs and cats. supplies, he makes the calls and the orders himself. His dad felt like this would help Ariel’s primary interest at the moment is photography and she enjoys taking him to better understand the business and to help him overcome some of his shyness. pictures of nature. He has sold several pigs to neighboring families for their kids to show at local fairs. Whatever the future holds for the three, it is obvious they won’t stray too “Sometimes, I think he could run this place, he does so much. All three of these kids Stoutland, Mo. far from their family’s tradition of agriculture and the many ways it can work like grown adults on this farm and we are really proud of them.” manifest itself over the generations of a farming family. Isaiah and Paris raised crossbred Angus steers for the first time in preparation NOVEMBER 2, 2020
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