meet your neighbors
Photo by Amanda Bradley
Family Farming and Showing
The Letterman family and MKL Show Pigs earned many titles at fairs across the Ozarks this summer. Pictured, on the first row from left, are Brinlee Letterman and Lilly Letterman. On the second row, from left, are Kaden Robers and Adalee Letterman.
By Amanda Bradley
The Letterman family and MKL Show Pigs find success Tucked in the hills of Webster County’s green pasture is the Letterman Andrew has been showing pigs since he was a child, and Andrew and Cathrin’s chilfamily. More than one household can be found on the nearly 200 acres of land that dren began showing in 2010. has been in the family for generations. “The kids have been showing pigs since they could walk,” Cathrin said. The land is nearing its time to be qualified as a century farm. The Lettermans are Andrew said he’s loved, “the black and white pigs” (the Hampshires), since he was continuing in the family farming tradition, following in the footsteps of a kid, so naturally, that’s one of the breeds they have on the farm and one the kids Andrew and Robbie Letterman’s grandfather, Boyd Letterman. enjoy showing as well. Andrew and is his wife Cathrin, along with their children Kaden Roberts What Cathrin likes about that particular breed is how good-natured they are. and Lilly Letterman, breed and show crossbred Hampshire and Yorkshire “They’re built well, and while it is possible, it’s hard to get a bad Hampshire. pigs. Across the pasture and over the hill are Andrew’s brother and sister-inIt’s also one of the most competitive breeds along with the Yorkshire,” she law Robbie and Ashlee Letterman and their three children, Carter, Adalee said. and Brinlee. Robbie and Ashlee work a lot with cattle, yet the two farms conFor that reason, MKL Show Pigs deals primarily with crossbred, HampNiangua, Mo. join land, interests, farm and show duties between the families’ children. shire and Yorkshire breeds. Andrew and Cathrin began MKL Show Pigs in 2015. The family meddles with Duroc as well. Andrew and Cathrin’s niece,
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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
NOVEMBER 15, 2021
