OFN 12-26-22

Balancing with the

Cook was the first female State FFA Officer in Arkansas and the organization’s first foundation head

Ward reappointment expected: Arkansas Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders plans to reappoint Arkansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward, Sanders announced recently. Ward, 40, has served as the Department of Agriculture’s secretary since March 2015 when Gov. Asa Hutchinson named Ward as his preference for the post.

Farm Bureau honors area residents: Arkansas Farm Bureau recognized Darren Hawkins of Beebe High School in White County, Ark., as its Outstanding Ag Educator. Concord High School’s Caleb Payton earned the Outstanding New Ag Educator Award, and Cedar Ridge High School grabbed the top spot as the Outstanding Ag Education Program. All were recognized at Farm Bureau’s 88th Annual Convention, Nov. 30, at the Hot Springs Convention Center. In other news from the convention, Mark Morgan of Clarksville, Ark., was the 2022 recipient of the Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award. Morgan and his wife Shay run Peach Pickin’ Paradise in Lamar, Ark.

Applications being accepted: Oklahoma veterans and young farmers (45 years of age or younger) can apply for grants up to $10,000 through the Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program. Additionally, veterans and young farmers can apply for zero percent interest loans if their application exceeds $10,000. Applicant proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to directly benefit Oklahoma farmers and ranchers through the creation of new revenue streams. The application deadline for this and all other AEDP grants and loans is Jan. 3, 2023. For more information about the AEDP contact Jason Harvey at Jason.harvey@ag.ok.gov or 405-606-1477

Researchers request assistance: Researchers wanting to know how Arkansas farmers, consultants and other professionals use precision agriculture have launched a survey to find the answers. “This survey will help our team identify research and educational needs and priorities for precision agriculture and soil testing in Arkansas,” said Aurelie Poncet, assistant professor of precision agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “We will use the collected information to define a common stakeholder vision for precision agriculture in Arkansas and identify some of the challenges that must be overcome to maximize benefits from technology use, soil testing, and scouting.” The results of this study will help research and extension personnel target their efforts to meet producers’ priority needs in the area of precision agriculture. Those answering the survey will be asked to provide their name and email address in addition to the typical demographic questions such as farm size, county, age and years of experience, but this information will only be used to identify duplicate answers. The data will be aggregated in a way to protect the participants’ identities. For more information or to take the survey, visit go.ozarksfn.com/r1r.

Know a Good Rumor?

Do you have a rumor you would like to share with our readers? Mail them to: PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536; fax them to: 417-532-4721; or email them to: editor@ozarksfn.com OzarksFarm

JUST A THOUGHT

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

FARM HELP

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

just a thought Life Is Simple

By Jerry Crownover

When I was a kid, the days and weeks leading up to Christmas seemed to pass as slowly as molasses flows on a cold day. Sleep was elusive, as I would lie in bed wondering, dreaming, hoping of what old St. Nick might leave under the decorated cedar tree. Now that I am far, far, far from being a kid, the same length of time elapses in the blink of an eye, and one Christmas is followed so quickly, by another.

The Christmases of my youth were filled with thoughts of the gifts I might receive. As the years passed and my life began to focus on my wife and two little boys, Christmastime was permeated with ideas of what I might give instead of receive. Now that I’m… er…well…old, this time of year allows me to look back and be so appreciative of what I have experienced through now, 71 Christmases.

Jerry Crownover is a farmer and former professor of Agriculture Education at Missouri State University. He is a native of Baxter County, Arkansas, and an author and professional speaker. To contact Jerry, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’

I’m thankful I was blessed with two wonderful parents who worked extremely hard, through even harder times, to make sure that my two sisters and I never went to bed hungry and always had clean clothes. Neither the food nor clothing was fancy, but when you know you are loved and safe, does anything else even matter?

I’m just as thankful to have married a wonderful woman who has been right beside me for over 40 years, picking me up when I’ve been down and kicking me the many times I’ve gotten a little full of myself. In addition, she has given me two sons, who both, luckily, inherited their mother’s intelligence and good looks. I’m so proud of the both of them.

Contributors

Brooke Bradford, Kacey Frederick, Cheryl Kepes, Michael Kinney, Erin Harvey, Danae Ranck, Katherine Smith, Noralee Townsend, Pam Willard Lamb and Mandy Villines

About the Cover

The Bells say every plant and animal at Waterline Farm has a purpose. See more on page 14.

Submitted photo

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor accepts story suggestions from readers. Story information appears as gathered from interviewees. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor assumes no responsibility for the credibility of statements made by interviewees. © Copyright Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, Inc., 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

just a thought

Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

It has been a busy holiday season. The first two weekends included our youngest daughter’s cheer competitions with the Elkins High School Cheer team. We are so excited to watch these hardworking girls go to Hot Springs, Ark., and compete against schools across the state. They improve every time we watch them perform and we are very proud of them.

One Sunday, we traveled up to Benton County to see our dear friends’ finished home in downtown Rogers. It is beautiful, and we enjoyed a walk downtown with several people to watch approximately 350 runners go by dressed in Santa Claus suits. The Santas were men and women, young and old. They were each unique and hilarious as they gathered at the end of their run at a local watering hole. I love Santa Claus, and the red and white bearded runners were quite a spectacle.

Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’

We attended my husband’s office Christmas party in Fayetteville. The company’s owners enjoy shopping for a variety of gifts for all the employees. Everyone draws a number, and an intense game of White Elephant ensues. For the second year in a row, someone from the accounting department swiped away a coveted air fryer we possessed for only a mere moment during the game. Later that week, a memo was circulated to remind employees if they used the company car, they were responsible for making sure it was clean for the next user.

Along with the memo circulated a photograph of a waffle fry in the company car cupholder. My husband immediately hit the dreaded “reply to all” button on this company-wide email to state that he’d witnessed someone from accounting using the air fryer to make waffle fries in the company car. I can always appreciate a good interoffice joke.

Our youngest son plays on a travel baseball team called the JJ’s Sliders. One Friday night, there was a fundraiser and concert for families in need and youth baseball at a live music venue JJ’s Live. We enjoyed bidding up silent auction items while dancing to a 90s country cover band. They were talented and played many of our old favorites from high school and college. Since we were enjoying music from when we were in our twenties, we two-stepped and danced until we were out of breath. It was a great fundraiser and a fun night.

The following week, my husband kept complaining about how much his back hurt. I am sure the dancing that past Friday had nothing to do with it. He was talking about it one night, and a friend encouraged him to go see the new chiropractor in town. It is a walk-in clinic, and he went in for a tune-up. He said he felt great after his adjustment and wondered if it would last through another Friday night of dancing. I don’t think we’ll chance it.

We love music and gatherings of all kinds in our family. One of my most precious December moments of the year was sharing the Stewart Family Christmas Lights display with some children from a local children’s shelter. This light display is out on Wyman Road outside of Fayetteville; it puts Clark Griswold’s lights to shame. It’s a beautiful tribute to what this season is all about – the light of the world. The kids enjoyed dinner outdoors, hot cocoa and camel rides. The laughter and joy that emanated from this precious group of kids was a priceless gift. I hope you are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, neighbor.

just a thought

Across The Fence

By Julie Turner-Crawford

Arrivederci, 2022! I’m glad to see you go. It’s been a bit of a rough one. The economy is in the pits, fuel prices are all over the board, supply chain issues are still ongoing, feed and fertilizer prices are up, cattle prices aren’t great, avian flu is setting records and interest rates are climbing. We can’t forget about the drought and hay prices. Personally, it’s been an up-and-down year for me as well, so I’m glad to get 2022 behind me.

Economists predict a pick-up in commodity production in the new year, but farm income is projected to fall in 2023 and 2024. The official forecast for farm income won’t come out until February, so it’s a wait-and-see game.

Continued on Next Page

MAIN DISH

Julie Turner-Crawford is a native of Dallas County, Mo., where she grew up on her family’s farm. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Julie, call 1-866532-1960 or by email at editor@ozarksfn.com.

Spaghetti & Meatball Ring

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 C finely chopped onion

• 1/3 C Italian breadcrumbs

• 1/4 C plus 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan, divided

• 1/4 C chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained

• 2 C marinara sauce

• 2 tubes of refrigerated crescent dough

• 1 1/2 C shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, 1/4 C Parmesan, parsley, egg and garlic until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Shape mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch) and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Bake until mostly cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll crescent rolls and piece together in a circle, with the short side of the triangle pointing outward, slightly overlapping, on the parchment. Top with cooked spaghetti, and spread baked meatballs on top. Spoon about 1 C marinara sauce over meatballs and spaghetti, then sprinkle mozzarella on top. Gently fold over the pointed end of rolls (should resemble a wreath when finished). Brush tops of crescents with olive oil. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Bake until crescents are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with more parsley and serve warm with marinara.

Know a Good Recipe? Send in your favorite recipe to share with our readers. Mail them to: PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536; fax them to: 417-532-4721; or email them to: editor@ozarksfn.com

just a thought

Across the Fence

Continued from Previous Page

Among the bright spots for the new year are projections of strong consumer demand and an expectation that cattle prices will climb in 2023 and 2024. Until we get into the new year, however, it’s all just speculation. There will be a new farm bill in 2023. The current one expires in September 2023, but work is underway on the new legislation. Hopefully, those in Washington, D.C., representing farmers and ranchers back home, will draft a fair bill for all involved. I have some concern brewing about Sen. Cory Booker in 2023. The representative from New Jersey is the first vegan to be a member of the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. He’s already stumping on putting an end to “factory farming” and has lots of backing from anti-agriculture and animal-rights groups. He’s calling for “factory farming” to end based on a matter of “public health” and “racial justice.” I haven’t found his definition of a “factory farm,” and a quick internet search brought up about 15 different definitions (all from animal rights web pages). If his provisions are added to the Farm Bill, it will hit a lot of family farms. I don’t get the stance on shutting down farms, but there will be many unhealthy and hungry people of all races, colors and creeds if these groups get a little more traction. I don’t see the target on the backs of farmers and ranchers going away in 2023.

It may be conversational for some, but 2023 may be the time for producers who

have been reluctant to look at programs offered by the USDA through the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service. These are programs with funding and services made possible by your tax dollars.

Yes, there is paperwork. Yes, you will have to answer some questions. Yes, you may have to change a few things, but ask yourself if it will be worth it in the long run. And no, you do not give up control of your farm. Funding to help buy hay, fencing cost shares, information about keeping groundwater safe, improving fields and pastures, or expanding your current operation might be worth calling your local USDA office. On the state level, many grants and programs can help with going organic, developing specialty crops, and assisting producers in getting into direct marketing.

Today, farmers and ranchers must do what they can to keep their operations viable and, hopefully, make a decent living. Don’t look at programs and incentives as handouts. These agencies are there to help, and farmers need all the help they can get these days.

Life Is Simple

Continued from Page 3

I have also been overly blessed by more good friends than anyone deserves: neighbors I can depend on for any favor, at any time, to hundreds of former students that still recognize me and never fail to say hello. I appreciate them more than they will ever know.

I am also overwhelmingly beholden to the many faithful readers that have followed me over the past 30 years from all

across the country, and to the magazines and newspapers that have allowed me space on their pages. Not many people get to share their day-to-day happenings, their small triumphs, their stupid errors, and their innermost feelings with friends they’ve never met.

So, during this most special time of year, my wish is for everyone to experience peace on earth and good will toward mankind.

meet your neighbors Adjusting to a New Home

By Katherine Smith

The Gomez family moved their cattle operation to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s

Bryan Gomez is a cattle rancher in Yell County, Ark., but he isn’t the traditional rancher for the area. He was born and raised for part of his life in Mexico, where he gained his background knowledge of ranching from his father and grandfather.

When Bryan’s father decided to move their family’s ranching operation to the states in the early 1990s, he bought his family a house and some land, about 145 acres. Bryan’s father was born in the United States and moved to Mexico at a young age, where he worked with Bryan’s grandfather for many years on the family ranch, learning and experiencing the way of ranching in Mexico. Gomez’s father wanted to provide his family with a better quality of life and believed ranching in the U.S. was the way to do it.

“The dollar to pesos were a lot greater than they are in Mexico. My father quickly found out that the expenses here are a lot greater than they are back home. He did everything he could to try to make a little money out of the little nothing he had,” Bryan said.

Bryan and his family currently ranch in the Ozarks with a mixed beef herd, utilizing Brahman bulls with his herd of mixed females, including Brangus, Angus, Red Angus, Holstein and Jerseys genetics. In Mexico, the cattle industry is different than many operations in the U.S. Bryan said here there is a large emphasis on purebred cattle production, but in Mexico, breeds have been crossed so much that cattle exhibit a great deal of hybrid vigor, producing quality, marketable animals. In Mexico, his family has a herd of 500 to 600 head.

Another change from Mexico to the U.S. is the weather. In Mexico, water shortages are a concern, as are sudden downpour that cause flashing flooding. Then there are the hot temperatures and high humidity.

When the Gomez family moved to the U.S., they were unaware of what the Arkansas winters would

bring. One winter, the family lost nearly half of the herd. Bryan admitted while it was a tremendous loss, they chalked it up to extreme winter conditions and older cows. That’s when they learned yet another lesson about raising cattle in the Ozarks.

In Mexico, commercial cattle producers typically do not vaccinate their cattle. A fellow rancher at a local auction where Bryan worked part time advised Bryan they could cut death losses by implementing a vaccination program to improve cattle health during all seasons. After starting the program, the Gomez family significantly decreased the number of animals lost.

It was all part of the learning process for farming and ranching in a new environment.

“We learned from mainly through our mistakes,” Bryan said. While Bryan and the Gomez family continued to adjust to raising cattle in the Ozarks, Bryan admitted they did face some prejudice. There were times people refused to provide services or made accusations that Bryan was untrustworthy. Bryan said his father barely speaks English and has often been mistaken as a worker, not a ranch owner.

It may have been a struggle at times, but they have found others who were and are very welcoming.

“There’s been many people who have been very helpful and helped us apply for many different grants that allowed us to keep our ranch producing,” Bryan said.

The Gomez cattle operation and the Gomez family may not be the “typical” cattle or ranching family in Arkansas, but they have many things in common with their neighbors.

Belleville, Ark.

“This what every rancher does; We risk our lives; this is something we love,” Brian said, trying not to let his emotions overcome him. “This is what we breathe, and I reckon die for. “You know, trying to make that extra money to make that farm progress the next year. I reckon you wake up and breathe cattle.”

Submitted Photo

meet your neighbors Building on Firsts

By Brooke Bradford

Cook was the first female State FFA officer in Arkansas and the organization’s first foundation head

As the first female Arkansas FFA state president, the first Arkansas FFA Foundation executive director, and a first-generation cattle producer, Jennifer Cook knows a few things about being a first.

Born into a low-income home in rural Lake City, Ark., Jennifer never could have predicted the way her future in agriculture would shape Arkansas FFA for generations to come.

Young Jennifer was influenced by her grandfather, an agriculture teacher, and joined what was known at the time as the Future Farmers of America, or FFA. In FFA, Jennifer participated in leadership events and showed cattle, a hobby that would teach her lifelong lessons about hard work and dedication.

“I, like FFA members, went to leadership camp and state convention and was always starstruck by the state officers,” said Jennifer.

That hard work and dedication were tested in 1987 when she decided to run for state FFA office.

In 1987, Jennifer made history when she was elected as the first female Arkansas FFA President.

“It was almost an out-of-body experience,” Jennifer said. “I was sitting behind the curtains on the left side of the stage by myself for what felt like a lifetime.”

After reminiscing on the excitement of getting elected, Jennifer acknowledged she

had questions about how she would do the job.

“I didn’t go into the election thinking I would get elected as the first female president,” she recalled. “I didn’t even know that I would be considered. I was just happy to be on the team.”

Without reliable transportation and limited financial means, Jennifer felt extra pressure around her year of service.

“I am a proponent of wanting people to feel represented, but as the first female president, I knew I needed to do a good job because I didn’t want people to look back and think ‘she ruined the organization,’” Jennifer said.

Today, Jennifer continues to make cattle and FFA part of her daily life.

Telling stories of how her children benefited from the life lessons taught through FFA and showing cattle, Jennifer said they teach good life skills that shape our youth into good people.

As the owner of 5C Cattle Company, Jennifer, alongside her husband Bryan, raise Hereford cattle shown in livestock rings across Arkansas by young FFA members. Jennifer joked about telling her husband, “if we got married, we would own cattle.”

Jennifer ran for National FFA office in college. After running, it was brought to her attention that she wasn’t

elected because her direct competitor had a better Supervised Agricultural Experience or SAE.

“I decided then that our kids would have cattle, and they would have good SAEs, and they wouldn’t be excluded because of something they couldn’t help,” said Jennifer.

Her experience of growing up with limited resources made her value when people step in and fill voids to help kids. Doug Ward was her high school ag teacher, and she describes him as the “most influential person” in her journey to becoming the first because he helped fill voids in her life.

“He poured his life and soul into creating opportunities for people like me. I don’t know why things happen the way they do, but Mr. Ward was so good at helping me see that it was OK that I was different,” Jennifer said.

After serving as the Arkansas FFA president, Jennifer was offered an internship in D.C., and Ward once again stepped up. Knowing Jennifer didn’t have the clothes for a professional wardrobe or money to pay for clothes to work in D.C., he called her and said, “Meet me at the mall.”

Wooster, Ark.

“So I met him at the mall because I always did whatever he told me,” Jennifer recalled.

“Standing outside the mall, Mr. Ward said, ‘I want you to go inside and pick out a dress you can wear to

the office, and once you pick it out, come back out here and get me, and I’ll go inside and pay for it.’ He made the playing field level for someone who grew up on Cherry Street in Lake City, Ark.”

Now, 35 years later, Jennifer has the opportunity to work with FFA members daily in her role as the executive director of the Arkansas FFA Foundation. Her job is to spearhead all fundraising efforts on behalf of the largest youth leadership organization in the state, assuring that millions of dollars are correctly allocated to leverage student success and industry elevation.

Did Jennifer ever think her stint as state president would result in a career with the association as the foundation director?

“No, absolutely not,” Jennifer said. “Five years ago, I didn’t know what a foundation director did.”

Jennifer described having a list of names and companies handed to her that had previously supported Arkansas FFA and being tasked to build a system as the first person in her role. Being the first often means taking some risks.

“Try. If you don’t try, you always regret it,” Jennifer said.

A big risk Jennifer took in her position was asking Gov. Asa Hutchinson for $5 million for the Arkansas FFA Foundation.

“What if I didn’t ask Governor Hutchinson for $5 million? Then we would’ve never gotten $2.5 million,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer

Submitted Photo

Submitted Photo

eye on agri-business meeting the needs of farmers Kansas Feed & Farm

Love agriculture and rural life, and have a knack for writing?

By Julie Turner-Crawford

Location: Kansas, Okla.

Owners:

Derick and Nicole Tye

History: Kansas Feed & Farm has been a part of the Tye family for more than three decades. In June 2022, the business was purchased by Derick and Nichole Tye from Derick’s cousins.

“We’re fresh owners,” Nichole said. “This is where I was led to be. I worked an hour away, and this is the first business we have owned; we hated for it not to be in the family. This business is new for me, but it’s fun.”

Products: Kansas Feed & Farm offers extensive lines of feed for all livestock, including poultry and rabbits, as well as pets.

All feed is bagged with lines from ADM; Mid America Feeds in Talala, Okla.; Big V Feeds in McAlester, Okla.; and Show Rite feeds in Oklahoma City, Okla., offered.

Other products include animal health supplies for livestock, such as vaccines and dewormers, as well as vaccines and dewormers and flea and tick preventatives for companion animals. Pet owners can find Hi-Point feeds.

“What we sell the most of is probably our show stuff,” Nicole said. “My show people are my biggest customers. We also sell a lot of Blue and Gold sausage. We buy it from the [Kansas FFA Chapter], so they can get their money, and then we sell it here.”

Kansas Feed & Farm also offers livestock vitamins, minerals and probiotics; haying supplies; locally-sourced hay and straw; hydraulic fluid for equipment; wood pellets; wildlife feed and supplies; horseshoeing supplies; some toys; and other products.

Derick and Nicole also support local farmers and ranchers in their community by allowing them to sell some products at the store.

“I have a farmer who brings in eggs, and I have some show people who bring in Freshies (air fresheners), just things like that,” Nichole said.

In the summer months, Kansas Feed & Farm also offers sweet corn, watermelon and cantaloupe grown at Shelly and Ross Produce in Webbers Falls, Okla.

Kansas Feed and Farm strives to bring customers what they need, including a drop-off location for a dry cleaner.

“It’s 20, 30 miles to the nearest dry cleaner,” Nicole said. “This demographic of people like their jeans and shirts starched, so I figured it would be a good option.”

Future plans: Nicole said Kansas Feed & Farm would eventually like to offer some bulk feeds and more products inside the store.

“In the feed business, you pretty much trade dollars for dollars on feed,” Nicole said. “I try not to margin it because that’s why we’re here.”

OFN is seeking FREELANCE FEATURE WRITERS

Experience in agriculture preferred, but not required. Some photography skills needed.

Freelancers should have excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to produce news stories following AP style and a strong initiative. Must be able to meet deadlines and follow through with projects.

Freelancers are required to travel to farms to conduct interviews and take pictures.

ozarks roots

Learning Through Discovery Learning Through Discovery

By Pam Willard Lamb

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium offers a hands-on approach to science education

The mission of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium (TASM) is to preserve Oklahoma’s aerospace history and inspire science-based learning through discovery. The museum carries out its mission through stories of aerospace pioneers, events, aircraft, computer flight simulators, an aerospace curriculum, a teacher resource center, a media center and library. Hands-on activities include group tours, activities, and aircraft visitors can touch, including open cockpits, a robotic arm, a space shuttle launch, and a space maneuvering unit. A simulated wind tunnel helps display the principles of flight and the technology used by astronauts, pilots and scientists.

The TASM began in 1998 in a 1940s hangar on the Spartan School of Aeronautics’ campus, moving to the Sherman and Ellie Smith Hanger One on the north side of the Tulsa International Airport in 2005. The James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium, Oklahoma’s first Planetarium, opened in 2006. The National Museum of the United States Air Force and the Naval Aviation Museum certified the TASM to receive artifacts and traveling exhibits on loan.

The Ray Booker Flight Lab, Build Your Own Aircraft Simulator and Bernoulli’s Principle are hands-on exhibits educating visitors about flight and aircraft. The Ray Booker Flight Lab includes everything you need to train like a pilot, from yoke to throttle. The Build Your Own Aircraft Simulator gives visitors missions for their own aircraft to complete. The interactive Bernoulli’s Principle exhibit teaches the forces of flight by stacking balls in the air.

Five historic airplanes are on exhibit at the TASM. The airplanes include an American Airlines MD-80, a Rockwell

Ranger 2000, a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, the Tulsamerican B-24 Exhibit and the Flagship Tulsa Exhibit. The American Airlines MD-80 exhibit holds an entire MD80 plane, including the cockpit. Designed by Rockwell for the Joint Primary Training Systems competition, the Rockwell Ranger 2000 was built in Germany. Eric Benson of Sallisaw and Sen. James Inhofe of Tulsa brought a Grumman F-14A Tomcat to the TASM. The Tomcat is painted in the squadron colors of VF-41 Black Aces with the names of Oklahomans who were pilots and crew members listed on her nose and a gold star indicating those killed in action or during training. Tulsa was selected by President Roosevelt’s Arsenal of Democracy program to aid the World War II effort as the new location of a Douglas plant. The plant employees bought enough war bonds to build the Tulsamerican, the last B-24 built in Tulsa. It fought in Europe and crashed in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia. The TASM Board, American Airlines, and volunteers all worked to bring the Douglas DC-3 Flagship Tulsa back to the TASM from storage in Oshkosh, Okla. A recreation of the art deco airport terminal Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, and Wiley Post all walked through in 1931 is on display at the TASM.

A fully-working shuttle simulator is designed to test visitors’ ability to land the space shuttle. It contains two fully interactive stations allowing visitors to take the controls and operate a custom-made program.

The Tuskegee Legacy Exhibit features the groundbreaking African American aviators in the Army Air Corps. Trained for combat missions in the western theater of WWII at the Tuskegee Institute of Alabama, these men served roles including navigators, bombardiers, technicians and

leadership positions. Nicknamed “Redtails,” these heroes ran approximately 1,600 combat and hundreds of escort missions.

The James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium and ESky™ Theater, an updated stateof-the-art projection system, were added to the TASM over a decade ago. Pairing high-definition visuals with state-of-theart technology in a fully immersive theater atmosphere, the Planetarium offers a rotating schedule of programs introducing a new show approximately every six months. The Planetarium also shows daily screenings of half-dome movies and live tours of the night sky.

Productions available to see at the Planetarium include From Dream to Discovery: Inside NASA; Black Holes: The other side of Infinity; Destination Mars: The Final Frontier: Earth, Moon and Sun; and Faster the Light: The Dream of Interstellar Flight; Stars and Dream to Fly.

Tours with museum-experienced docents or self-guided tours, including a scavenger hunt, can be booked for field trips. Teachers can arrange for students to see Planetarium shows during their field trips. TASM activities include Stomp Rockets, Landers, Motors and Generators, Morse Code and the Physics of Flight. The TASM offers programs for Scout Merit Badges, including aviation, astronomy, space exploration and campout.

The TASM offers free programs to inspire STEM learning at home with Tonight’s Sky, Artemis Student Challenge, engineering and science inspired by the Perseverance Mars Rover, PhET Interactive Simulator Project from the University of Colorado Boulder, MicroObservatories and ViewSpace Interactives. All activities use easy-to-find household supplies and are appropriate for all ages.

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

Submitted photos

By Mandy Villines

Hometown: West Fork, Ark.

In Town: Misty Newcomb is the superintendent of Prism North America, a K-12 school system providing academic programs across the country.

In the Country: Misty has a passion for community, family and gardening.

Inside her garden, exotic-colored corn and tomatoes – including varieties of Black Beauties, Cherokee-Purples, Amish Paste and Black Strawberry. There’s also okra, Kentucky Wonder green beans (which Misty’s grandmother said are the best of the best), squash, zucchini, pumpkins and peppers. For a splash of color, eucalyptus, dahlias, zinnias, strawflowers, globe amaranth and cosmos can be found.

Misty grew up watching her grandparents and great-grandparents in their gardens. She vividly remembers hours hulling cowpeas. This sparked her interest in the sentimental and daily value of growing a garden.

Early in their marriage, Misty and her husband Clay became interested in feeding their family holistically. She realized the importance of knowing where their food comes from, how it was made, and decided this was how she and Clay wanted to raise their children.

In 2005, Misty, a native of Hatfield, Ark., and her family, which now includes four children, built their home on 7 acres.

After COVID hit in 2019, Misty’s college-age children moved home, and they developed a renewed appreciation for the homesteading way of life. It was a time of bonding in uncertain times.

During that time, Misty also found a way to connect with her students and share a little about life on the farm during daily online assemblies. Misty shared her activities on the farm, from canning to gardening to tending their assorted chickens and Kunekune pigs.

Though school is re-opened, she continues to share her love for gardening and the importance of knowing where food comes from on her farm’s Instagram page (@newcombfarm).

Family: Husband Clay and four children

Arkansas Cattle

slaughter bulls

(Week of 12/11/22 to 12/17/22)

95.00 †

market sales reports

beef cattle

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 320.00-340.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 195.00-227.50.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 165.00.

Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 170.00-180.00. hair 60-70 lbs 185.00-190.00; 70-80 lbs 185.00-190.00; 82 lbs 165.00.

San Angelo: hair 100-145

50.00-103.00 † None Reported † 78.00-106.00* 56.00-110.00*

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle 12/19/22

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn)

Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice

Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 185.00-317.50. Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 257.50-275.00.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 180.00.

Steers: 154.00-158.00 ; wtd. avg. price 155.87.

Heifers: 153.00-157.00 ; wtd. avg. price 155.86.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 90.00-232.50.

Decatur Livestock Auction Not Reported*

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-230.00.

Kalona: wooled and shorn 40 lbs 285.00; 50-60 lbs 315.00320.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-255.00; 70-80 lbs 175.00-215.00, few 255.00; 80-90 lbs 180.00-225.00, few 245.00; 90-100 lbs 172.50-197.50. hair 45 lbs 315.00; 50-60 lbs 305.00-310.00; 60-70 lbs 205.00-245.00; 70-80 lbs 195.00-225.00; 80-90 lbs 195.00-202.00; 90-100 lbs 190.00-195.00.

Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice

Steers: 243.00-250.00; wtd. avg. price 248.42.

Wethers - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 212.50.

I-40 Livestock - Ozark 53.00-108.00 †

Fort Smith Stockyards 61.00-107.00 †

Farmers Regional Sale Barn 70.00-102.00* 83.00-100.00 †

52.00-104.00 † 68.00-120.00 †

Heifers: Not Reported; wtd. avg. price Not Reported.

Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 312.50.

National Sheep Summary 12/16/22

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 60-70 lbs 175.00-280.00; 70-80 lbs 235.00-240.00; 92 lbs 75.00. hair 59 lbs 190.00; 87 78 lbs 110.00.

Billings: no test.

Ft. Collins: South Dakota: Kalona: no Billings: no Missouri: young Sheep and week to date and 39,000

Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock Auction - Green Forest OKC West - El Reno

Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Not Reported †

Stilwell Livestock Auction

Joplin Regional Stockyards Not Reported*

Vinita Stockyards Not Reported* Welch Stockyards

Cleburne County Livestock Auction 70.00-109.00* 80.00-106.00*

slaughter cows

(Week of 12/11/22 to 12/17/22)

Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

24.00-70.00 †

Decatur Livestock Auction Not Reported*

I-40 Livestock - Ozark 28.00-83.00 †

sheep & goats

Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep/Goat 12/15/22

Receipts: 641

Compared to the sale two weeks ago feeder lambs traded 9.00-15.00 lower. Slaughter lambs under 70 lbs. traded 25.0040.00 lower with heavier weights trading steady to 15.00 higher. Slaughter ewes traded steady. In the goat portion of the sale feeder kid goats traded steady with slaughter kid goats trading 8.00-14.00 higher. Slaughter nannies traded steady. A replacement boer billy traded for 620.00 per head and a boer replacement nannie traded for 375.00 per head. Internet purchasing was very active. Supply was light with very good demand. Supply included: 15% Feeder Sheep/ Lambs (100% Hair Lambs); 56% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (4% Wooled & Shorn, 79% Hair Breeds, 1% Ewes, 10% Hair Ewes, 6% Hair Bucks); 1% Replacement Sheep/Lambs (100% Families); 6% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 22% Slaughter Goats (34% Kids, 52% Nannies/Does, 9% Bucks/Billies, 2% Wethers, 2% Wether Kids).

Feeder Sheep/Lambs:

Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 175.00-325.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs:

Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 175.00.

Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 145.00.

Wooled & Shorn - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prim 1-3 (per cwt): 190.00-290.00.

Compared to last week traditional slaughter lambs 5.00 higher, others mostly 10.00-30.00 lower. Slaughter ewes mostly steady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 6,078 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 4,314 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified. ***This is the last report for this year. This next time this report will be issued will be Friday, January 6, 2023.***

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: wooled and shorn 110-130 lbs 121.00-147.50. New Holland, PA: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 132.00190.00, few 200.00-205.00; 150-170 lbs 120.00-147.00. Ft. Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 150 lbs 150.00.

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 125-145 lbs 121.00-133.00; 156 lbs 110.00.

Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 120.00-175.00; 150-165 lbs 110.00-125.00.

Billings, MT: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs no test. Missouri: wooled and shorn 125-130 lbs no test.

Equity Coop: no sales.

Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 275.00-331.00, few 347.50; 60-70 lbs 249.00-282.50, few 297.00-325.00; 70-80 lbs 230.00-270.00, few 275.00-290.00; 80-90 lbs 175.00-237.50; 90-110 lbs 173.00197.00, few 225.00. wooled and shorn 58 lbs 283.00; 62 lbs 249.00; 70-80 lbs 227.00-250.00; 80-90 lbs 187.00-197.50; 94 lbs 171.00.

Missouri: hair 50-60 lbs 255.00-290.00; 60-70 lbs 260.00275.00; 70-80 lbs 230.00-260.00; 85 lbs 240.00; 90 lbs 190.00.

Slaughter Ewes:

San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 71.00-97.50, hair 95.00-107.50; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 95.00-113.00, hair 101.00-117.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 90.00-95.00, hair 85.00-100.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 87.50-89.00; Cull 1 75.00.

New Holland: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 80.00-125.00, hair 75.00-135.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 80.00-97.00; Cull 1 no test.

Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 72.50-85.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 67.50-85.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.

South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) 70.0091.00; Cull 1 no test.

Kalona: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 77.50-97.50; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 75.0090.00; Utility 1-2 50.00-65.00.

Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test.

Missouri: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) hair 115.00-127.50; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 75.00, hair 90.00-116.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 65.00.

Direct Trading: No sales.

Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: hair 40-50 lbs 325.00-331.00.

Ft. Collins: no test.

Cheese: Barrels The weekly blocks, $2.0630 Fluid Milk/Cream: orders have the yearend to softer Class continues processors

Midwestern to Class III. dissipate in are reportedly also seasonally full on cream already busy is, and has multiples and 1.00-1.26

SPOT PRICES

BUTTERFAT, - $3.4044 -

Joplin Regional Not Reported*

Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 150.00-262.50.

Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 75.00.

Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 115.00-127.50.

OKC West - El Reno

Ozarks Regional Tulsa Livestock Auction

Vinita Stockyards

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 12/15/22 1,438 Uneven

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 75.00.

Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 115.00-127.50.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 90.00-115.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 65.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 90.00-170.00.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs:

Families - Small and Medium 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb (per unit): 220.00-330.00.

New Holland: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 235.00-275.00; 50-60 lbs 250.00-280.00; 60-70 lbs 222.00-285.00, few 327.00365.00; 70-80 lbs 190.00-225.00; 80-90 lbs 177.00-210.00, few 212.00-240.00; 90-100 lbs 167.00-190.00. hair 40-50 lbs 235.00-250.00, few 330.00-375.00; 50-60 lbs 255.00-300.00, few 305.00-350.00; 60-70 lbs 210.00-255.00, few 290.00300.00; 70-80 lbs 170.00-215.00, few 220.00-280.00; 80-90 lbs 177.00-220.00, few 235.00-255.00; 90-100 lbs 150.00-185.00.

South Dakota: hair 35 lbs 115.00; 40-50 lbs 165.00; 54 lbs 165.00.

Kalona: no test. Billings: no test.

Missouri: hair 37 lbs 325.00; 40-50 lbs 267.50-310.00.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2:

stocker & feeder prices

Cleburne County Livestock✝ 12/12/22 182 Uneven

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1

300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1

300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

187.50-218.00 182.50-214.00 167.50-200.00 162.50-177.50 157.00-160.00

165.00-193.00 150.00-192.50 157.50-174.00 130.00-158.00

157.50-185.00 145.00-207.50 145.00-172.50 137.50-162.50 125.00-146.00

Decatur Livestock*

Farmers Regional Sale Barn* 12/12/22 279

REPORTED 190.00-203.00 170.00-200.00 155.00-191.00 166.00 153.00-156.00

208.00-259.00 180.00-237.00 183.00-223.00 164.00-183.00

188.00-200.00 168.00-202.50 150.00-186.00 151.00-171.00 152.00-165.00

170.00-213.00 155.00-190.00 140.00-170.00 136.00-173.00 128.00-134.00

141.00-169.00

200.00-215.00 172.00-206.00 159.00-191.00 150.00-169.00 130.00-150.00

170.00-199.00 162.00-194.00 150.00-176.00 142.00-159.00 140.00-165.00

187.50 155.00-186.00 156.00-180.00 134.00-160.00

148.00-175.00 141.00-167.00 140.00-161.00 139.00-157.00 135.00-148.00

NOT REPORTED

177.00-196.00 171.00-199.00 158.00-170.00 137.00-166.00 134.00-162.00

151.00-180.00 156.00-186.00 142.00-165.00 150.00 135.00

148.00-184.00 156.00-182.00 154.00-170.00 106.00-143.00

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Fort Smith Stockyards* 12/12/22 1,110

160.00-235.00 152.00-220.00 130.00-200.00 141.00-185.00 131.00-168.00 138.00-210.00 134.00-190.00 129.00-178.50 115.00-160.00 112.00-150.00

197.00-235.00 180.00-211.00 180.00-212.00 170.00-183.00 165.00-178.00

162.00-237.00 160.00-229.00 151.00-186.00 135.00-176.50 126.00-149.00

150.00-175.00 160.00-191.00 155.00-183.50 143.00-166.00 140.00-160.00

180.00-225.00 175.00-215.00 166.00-202.50 160.00-182.50 154.00-167.00

Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 12/12/22

7,306 St-5 Higher

229.00-255.00 207.00-247.00 195.00-215.00 181.00-197.00 177.00-182.50

Mid-State Stockyards* 12/12/22 655 Steady

155.00-185.00 131.00-175.00 139.00-140.00

165.00-200.00 151.00-200.00 142.50-186.00 140.00-168.00 141.00-151.00

212.00

185.00-195.00 175.00-196.00 167.00-180.00 163.00-170.50 163.00-171.00

152.00-228.00 111.00-180.00 115.00-184.00 100.00-120.00 100.00-154.00 108.00-180.00 100.00-175.00 100.00-169.00 95.00-173.00 90.00-132.00

meet your neighbors Balancing with the Environment

By Michael Kinney

Waterline Farms was started with a goal of using sustainable agriculture practices

Tammi and Stephen Bell have worked hard their entire lives. While Stephen was in the Marines for 25 years, Tammi also served in the Navy and worked as a dental hygienist. However, when it came time to retire and live an easy life, the Bells had a different plan. It involved moving to Oklahoma and starting their own self-sustainable farm.

The plan may not be the retirement dream for most Americans, but the Bells were looking for something more rewarding than relaxing on a beach. They believe they can help save the planet.

“If people don’t adopt this philos-

ophy throughout the world, we are in serious trouble,” Tammi said, referring to the numerous threats the planet faces today. Everything from climate change to food sustainability. The couple believes these are all issues that farmers around the world can help solve. This is why Tammi and Stephen created Waterline Farm in Pryor, Okla. Even though their family and friends tried to dissuade them, they both felt strongly about it.

Pryor, Okla.

“It was a personal challenge for us to see if we could raise our own food,” Tammi said. “Then everybody’s like, ‘Oh, farming is so hard.’

It is hard, but no harder than leaving your house, commuting for an hour, standing on your feet, picking somebody’s teeth for eight hours, and all the stress that comes with it. It’s inhumane for the human to be in a box under artificial lights staring at a screen or, you know, having people yell at you and everything else that goes on in the workplace.”

The Bells created Waterline Farms with the goal of using sustainable methods free of chemicals to grow their own fruits, nuts and vegetables using permaculture techniques. They wanted to live off everything they produced and for it to be all-natural.

The Bells do not use any external input, such as growth hormones, steroids or antibiotics. But just as importantly, they wanted to let the farm and the farm animals do all the work.

“Every single plant and animal has a purpose,” Tammi said. “So, if you can set up your ecological system, then you don’t have to do a lot of work. So, you don’t have to, plow the field, destroy the soil, bring in irrigation. Everything was meant to work together. You just have to get your whole environment balanced.”

Neither Tammi nor Stephen considered themselves naturalists or saw themselves ever living on a farm. They lived normal routines that included getting their food from grocery stores. But as the

years went on, they saw health issues in their household and society in general.

“It started with my husband’s health and just tasting real food that didn’t have any of that extra stuff,” Tammi said. “I started cooking food from scratch, and it’s like no bread, no preservative, no dairy. So that’s what started the quest.”

The Bells moved to Pryor in 2018 and started producing animals in 2019. Even though they knew what they wanted to accomplish with Waterline, how to do it was not so simple. While they had no previous experience, they were willing to try old and new methods to get the job done.

That includes joining Soil for Water in early 2022. It is a free, voluntary program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology. It’s made up of farmers and people who are curious about water and soil practices that create resilient, profitable agricultural systems.

Less than 100 farms in the country are part of the program, and Waterline is one of the few in Oklahoma.

“The first training that we got was Arm to Farm. The University of Arkansas posted a program for beginning veteran farmers, called Arm to Farm. We’ve just had ongoing support since 2019 with them,” Tammi said. “We were the first farm in Oklahoma to be a designated Soil for Water farm. You can’t have excess water, don’t use fertilizer

Retirement did not bring a stationary lifestyle to Tammi and Stephen Bell. The couple operate Waterline Farm in Pryor, Okla.

Photos by Michael Kinney

meet your neighbors

and don’t use pesticides. We’re just doing all we can to sequester carbon, stable water. We have never tilled up anything.”

Waterline has grown to 30 acres of farmland. The Bells raise American Guinea Hogs, sheep, turkeys, ducks and chickens, who all live and congregate in the same spaces, and are integrated into a rotational pasture system. The couple utilized a cost-share grant from the USDA to construct waterlines to provide water for their livestock.

Waterline also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables using polyculture techniques, which is the method of planting multiple crops in the same field. Farmers will replicate the natural conditions of an ecosystem for plants or animals.

When the Bells began using the polyculture process, several other farmers told them it would not work. The Bells, however, believed in the process.

“Really, the toughest part for the first three years was almost feeling like a failure because you put so much in, but you really don’t get anything back,” Tammi said. “But the last few years, we have been getting so much. Everything is starting to work. We just had to get all the systems in place and get the animals growing to where we consistently can raise healthy animals that people are starting to buy and recognize the difference between our products and Walmart; it doesn’t matter the price. They would rather have what we have.”

Waterline Farm and the Bells have received various awards for their agriculture stewardship, include the Funda-Farmer Grant from the Food Animal Concerts Trust.

The Bells’ goal with Waterline Farm is to become a homestead demonstration site practicing regenerative agriculture with an emphasis on ecological stewardship.

“In the next five years, I want to have an ecotourism site where people can come and stay in a covered wagon and a tepee situation set up for a family,” Tammi said. “Where you can come and cast-iron cook on the hill overlooking the lake, gather up the walnuts and peaches, pick berries and be like an old tiny farm immersion experience. It’s just going to be like the Garden of Eden, like how it’s supposed to be.”

Berryville • 344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245

Flippin • 9095 Hwy. 62 East 870-453-4400

Green Forest • 181 West Main 870-438-5184

Harrison • 502 Hwy 62/65 N. 870-741-0855

Huntsville • 304 Labarge Ave. 479-738-6814

Imboden • 5564 Hwy 63 East 870-869-2644

Jasper • 402 E. Court Street 870-446-5381 Salem • 115 Mill Street 870-895-3249

Siloam Springs • 1629 East Main 479-524-3511

Yellville • 801 Hwy. 62 West 870-449-4966

www.northarkansaslivestock.com

If you sell meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, eggs or any other farm to table products, be sure your farm is listed on FromTheFarmToYou.com

The listing is completely free. Just visit FromTheFarmToYou.com and click on “Submit Your Farm” at the top of the page.

youth in agriculture

tomorrow’s ag leaders

K’Dance Tharp

By Kacey Frederick

Age: 17

Hometown: Muldrow, Okla.

Parents: David and Kristyle Tharp

Siblings: Zayne and Kendall Tharp

What is your involvement in agriculture?

“I show hogs. I also judge livestock and am part of the parliamentary team.”

What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture/ living on a farm?

“I would say my favorite part is that I get to express myself and meet other people like me, and animals are a big plus. I like getting to learn how to take care of the animals and getting to spend time with them.”

What are your future plans?

“To finish out my 2023 showing season and get into a college that I want and finish with a good degree.

“What I study in college possibly may involve agriculture, but I don’t have that all worked out yet.”

your family

Fro the Farm to

Fro the Farm

www.FromTheFarmToYou.com

What is the best advice about agriculture you have received from adults?

“Hard work pays off. When showing livestock, it’s not just about showing animals; it’s about training, bonding, and having to wake up early in the morning to take care of the animals. But the more effort you put in, the better the results will be.”

Who gave you that advice?

“My FFA advisor, Mr. Harp.”

Awards: “For my 2020 showing season, I won my class at Sebastian County Fair, and was awarded fifth overall. At the Arkansas Youth Expo, I placed ninth in my class.

At the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair, I won sixth in my class, and at the Arkansas State Fair, I won 11th in my class.”

the ofn ag-visors the

Advice from

professionals

Year-End Tax Strategies

By Erin Harvey W

e are now heading into the holiday season with all the hustle and bustle upon us. The next big hurdle we tackle in addition to gift giving is… tax season. As we all know, one of the only guaranteed things in farming is the annual income tax deadline.

The biggest piece of advice I can provide is, don’t wait until the last minute. An essential farm financial management tool is year-end tax planning. While we often coincide tax planning with having a “good year,” it can also help maintain steady taxable income across multiple years. This can help minimize owing taxes over a longer span of years, which also provides benefit in the not-so-good years.

Erin Harvey is a CRCM and assistant vice president at Lamar Bank & Trust Company in Lamar, Mo. She can be reached at eharvey@lbt.com.

When net farm income is high, three major strategies for tax management are: deferring income, prepaying expenses, and claiming accelerated depreciation. Deferring income, also known as “carry over,” refers to not selling cash crops, equipment, or livestock until 2023. Look at prepaying some farm expenses, such as feed, fertilizer, seed, fuel, etc., prior to year-end. Farmers are usually able to secure significant discounts and lock in favorable prices by doing this, which reduces operating costs. Given the current input prices and supply issues, be cautious in this area. Accelerated depreciation refers to using Section 179 and bonus depreciation methods. These allow purchases to be depreciated entirely or mostly in the current year and provide flexibility when purchasing assets for your operation. While accelerating deprecation now may seem to be to your advantage, special attention should be made as it could be detrimental in future years if relied on too heavily. Your tax preparer can help you plan for this and provide options to reach your target net farm income.

In years when income may be lower, the most common way to bump income up is to sell crops and livestock that typically would have been carried over. Current-year expenses such as insurance premiums, rent, or interest can also be deferred to help reduce expenses. Cutting back on prepaid expenses also provides flexibility, but you could miss out on discounts.

Even after year-end, another great way to manage tax liability while preparing for retirement is to make contributions to a traditional deductible IRA. For 2022, individuals can contribute up to $6,000 to an IRA. If you’re over age 50, you can contribute an additional $1,000. IRA and health savings accounts (HSAs) contributions are not due until the April tax deadline.

While year-end tax planning and financial management take extra effort, the overall goal to keep in mind is not to eliminate taxes but to understand what is generating the tax liability and adjust accordingly. This can be accomplished with accurate and timely farm records and working closely with your tax advisor who is familiar with all tax benefits and tools available to a farming business.

Making farming a little easier

Becoming a CONSERVATIONIST CONSERVATIONIST farm help

By Danae Ranck

Popular programs can improve soil, air and water health

Financial assistance for agricultural producers is available through implementing conservation techniques with the Natural Resource Conservation Services.

The NRCS provides programs designed to help reduce soil erosion, and increase water quality and wildlife habitat. The NRCS is a part of the United States Department of Agriculture.

“The goal is to help landowners improve natural resources on their farms or land that is going to benefit natural resources by preserving them and improving them to ultimately produce better products,” said Corey Farmer, assistant state conservationist for Northwest Arkansas field operations with USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Services.

The NRCS typically works with private agricultural landowners to improve their conservation techniques and increase production. It is also continuing to work with more urban gardens and smaller farms. Agricultural producers can become involved in these programs by applying on the NRCS state website or contacting their local NRCS department. These programs are designed and authorized every four to five years through the Farm Bill. Each state is allotted money to spend in various conservation areas. There are environmental, conservation, regional, and watershed programs. The two most common programs Arkansas and Missouri NRCS implement are the Environment Quality Incentive Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

The EQIP is the flagship program that is designed to help producers implement new conservation techniques on their land. The goal is to improve the quality of soil, air or water. The NRCS provides financial assistance for the producer to do these practices.

“EQIP’s focus is to solve issues with resource concerns, like soil erosion. It helps solve bigger problems and needs more financial assistance,” said Missouri NRCS Program Liaison Paul McDonald.

The CSP is an incentive program to continue conservation practices producers are already implementing. The CSP enhances what is already happening at a higher-level facility.

“It is generally an incentive or payment for things they are already doing on their farm and financial assistance for them to implement practices on their farm,” said Farmer.

Typically, these programs look like starting cover crops, grazing rotation or water quality treatments. Different programs have different financial returns.

“Sometimes practices might be good for the environment but not high financial return,” McDonald said.

The funding is provided through specific programs designed to meet the individual needs of every producer. Producers or landowners can apply through their state website or by contacting their local NRCS office to begin the application process. After a series of application questions, NRCS will partner with the producer to evaluate the land or property to create a plan and implement a program. Each program is voluntary but has an incentive or financial assistance.

“Sometimes [increased production] is a benefit, but the overarching goal is to improve or maintain natural resources, which in return is generally going to enhance production,” said Farmer.

Practices like cover crops help with erosion and can potentially create better soil, but a producer may not see a large increase in financial return. However, with improved grazing systems, a producer may be able to increase the number of animals or decrease the cost of other feed and will see a larger financial return after implementing these practices. Any producer can apply for funding. Each applicant is evaluated and given a contract with steps and agreements for the program. However, according to Farmer and McDonald, it is a competitive program because the “demands outweigh the available funds.”

The evaluation will be scored and placed on a list depending on factors like how high risk the problems might be. The applications open in November and go through a series of tests to be ranked according to the situation’s needs. The funds will then be distributed in late winter. If an applicant does not receive funding, they can reapply the next year. According to McDonald, the NRCS provides suggestions to improve the application for the next year, but it is all voluntary conservation.

Farmer noted frequently producers are unaware of their need for conservation practices. And unaware of these programs that can benefit their production. Reaching out to local conservationists and evaluating land will be opportunities for increased production and financial return.

what do you say?

What

farm program you would like to explore or have participated in?

“We have done some cost shares in the past to help build ponds. Now, we are looking at some programs to help with pollinators and permaculture. We would eventually like to do a farmto-table business.”

Sandy Kirby White County, Ark.

“I’ve always been interested in is a winter pasture grain drill program where you can rent a grain drill from the county. A small farmer like myself, I can’t afford to spend $30,000 on a grain drill.”

Chris Coker Washington County, Ark.

“As new farmers, the NRCS helped set us up 10 years ago, and we have taken those tools and ran with them. They helped with four high tunnels and helped us with a well to get water across our farm.”

Tara Stainton

Faulkner County,

“We have participated in from FSA drought programs, and we have some crop insurance through them too. We have been very pleased with everything we have ever done.”

Ark.

Ark.

Bill Mullen Benton County,

is a

farm help

Implementing Feed Programs

By Noralee Townsend

Feed and forage go together

Nutrition in your herd is critical for your operation so it is important to know what your cattle need in their diet so you can have your herd looking and producing the best of their ability.

“The first thing a producer needs to understand is the quality of their forage,” Professor of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Beth Kegley said.

Understanding what producers have on their farm is one of the most important things to think about when considering about implementing a feed program.

According to Kegley, the cost of this analysis is worth your money in return.

“Sampling your hay is a very large return of investment – to have those samples analyzed to see what nutrients are already present in that forage for your cattle,” she said.

produces nutrient-rich hay and which pastures do not.

“Knowing the protein and energy value allows you to decide what you need if anything, additionally for those cattle,” Kegley said. “If your hay is adequate in protein, you do not need to spend more money to buy feed supplements. If your hay is deficient in protein, you most definitely need to care about the protein in the supplemental feed you are going to buy.”

If producers find they do need to add a supplemental feed to their cattle, the most efficient way is slowly transitioning them onto the feed.

“Generally, you start with modest levels of supplementation and move them up as incrementally to higher levels,” Kegley said.

Producers can ask extension agents to help do the math to calculate how much

feed herds a very high concentration of a high grain diet with a minimum amount of hay to extend that hay supply and you would know how much grain to offer.”

According to Kegley, each producer will have a different set of factors going into those decisions.

Important factors producers need to consider include thinking about the goals that they want from their herd, knowing what they already have in their forage and finding out the protein and energy values for what they are considering purchasing.

It is important for producers to know what they already have so they will not waste money buying feed they may or may not need.

WINTER SPECIALS

WORMERS

Agrimectin Pour-On, 5.0 Liter

Cydectin, 5.0 Liter

Cydectiin, 10.0 Liter

Dectomax, 500 ml. Eprinex 5.0 liter

Noromectin, 500 ml.

Safeguard Dewormer

VACCINES

One-Shot, 10 Dose

Ultrabac 7 Som, 50 Dose Bovi-Shield 5 ViraShield 6, 50 Dose

IMPLANTS

Synovex Cart Ralgro

ANTIBIOTICS

Agrimycin 200, 500 ml. Noromycin 300, 500 ml.

Springfield

— Dr. Beth Kegley Professor of Animal Science, University of Arkansas

“Producers should take forage inventories throughout the year,” Director of Livestock and Forestry Research Station at Batesville Shane Gadberry said.

Along with sampling the hay, it is beneficial to know what forages go into the hay.

Local county extension agents will work with producers to get samples and inventories of their forage. The sample is called Feed and Forage Analysis.

These samples can be taken after each cutting of hay in each pasture. It can be done at any point in the year such as right after the hay was baled or at the end of the cutting season. If a producer wants an overall average, they can send in one sample but it is not going to tell which pasture produces better hay, according to Kegley.

This will help to know which pasture

supplemental feed you may need to extend your hay throughout the whole year, according to Kegley.

The Comparative Feed Value Calculator is a great resource to figure out protein and energy in the feed you are feeding.

Producers need to think about implementing feed programs as a strategy. Consider how much hay your going to have to see how much feed you need to buy.

It depends on what kind of pasture producers have or when they want to start grazing your cattle for the year or whether you want to plant some winter annuals for early Spring grazing.

“If you add so much grain the cow is going to eat less hay by her choice so you can limit feed hay and only feed so much a day,” Kegley said. “There are ways to limit

“

farm help

Getting Machinery Ready for Winter Winter

Now is the time to prepare for the chill of winter

The crisp fall days are about to flee, and the frigid winter days are about to make their way into the Ozarks. As the cold weather approaches, it’s time to prepare trucks, tractors, and other equipment to ensure they are in good working order through the winter.

Check Anti-Freeze

Experts recommend first and foremost checking the antifreeze. An antifreeze tester can be purchased for a few dollars. The tester will let producers know if the antifreeze in the tractor is good or if it needs to be replaced. If the antifreeze is old, it’s time to drain, flush and replace it.

However, if the antifreeze is at the proper concentration simply add more if levels are low.

While checking the antifreeze, it is a good time to also check the oil and filters. Refill or replace as needed.

Fuel Treatment

When it comes to fuel treatment producers may take different approaches depending on what they plan to do with their tractor or equipment over the winter. If the equipment is simply being stored, then add a fuel treatment to prevent fuel left in the tank from creating future problems. Old fuel can lead to deposits that can clog a system and make the equipment slow to start the next season.

If producers plan to use the tractor through the winter, it is equally important to take good care of the fuel system.

“I would recommend changing the fuel filters out,” Buddy King, manager at Marion County Equipment, in Pyatt, Ark., advised. “I would make sure you don’t have any moisture or water in your fuel system and then put in some sort of fuel stabilizer.”

Timing is important when determining when to add fuel stabilizer. “The time to put in fuel stabilizer and conditioner is two weeks before it turns cold, not the day it turns cold,” King said. “You have

to have it in and run at least half a tank through the tractor, so you get it in the lines, filters, and in the system.”

Clean It Up

Give tractors and other equipment a thorough cleaning, making sure to keep water away from seals containing bearings. Carefully clean battery terminals as well. Additionally, apply grease or a rust preventative solvent spray on any bare metal parts on the equipment.

This is also a good time to conduct a visual inspection of the equipment. King recommends checking the battery and battery connections to make sure they are in good working order. Whether the equipment is being used during the winter or being put away until spring, now is a good time to address any damage or issues.

Take Cover

If possible, find a place to store your trac-

tor and other equipment. Equipment left outside deteriorates faster than equipment stored inside. In situations in which space is limited, choose to store the most expensive equipment. When there is not an option to store the tractor or equipment inside, a cover can also provide protection. However, choose a cover that is not plastic. In some cases, plastic covers can stifle air circulation and trap moisture.

Heaters and Timers

Additionally, producers continuing to use their tractors through the winter should consider purchasing a block heater. “If you are going to start and feed with your tractor in the winter, a block heater is a good idea, so you can plug in the tractor and let it warm up,” King said. King suggests purchasing a timer that will kick on the block heater a couple of hours before the tractor will be utilized. That way, when the producer is ready to roll out the tractor, it is warmed up and ready to go.

Cheryl Kepes

— ZONE B AUCTIONS —

1/7 Absolute Real Estate Auction –Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service

1/14 Real Estate & Antique Auction – Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service

— ZONE C AUCTIONS —

12/26 Living Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

1/2 Campbell & Apperson New Years Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

1/13 January G.O.A.T. New Year’s Auction – Sulphur Springs, Ark. • Barber Auctions

1/14 E.P. Austin Estate Auction –Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

— ZONE D AUCTIONS —

1/7 Hlavenka Moving Auction –Mountain View, Ark. • Swa ord Realty & Auction

2/25 Lynnette Files Living Trust Auction – Heber Springs, Ark. • Frank Orr Auctions

ONLINE & OUTSIDE AREA

— AUCTIONS —

12/27 Online End of Year Equipment Auction – bidding closes Dec. 27th at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

12/28 Farm Retirement Auction –Jonesburg, Mo. • Wheeler Auctions & Real Estate

12/28 Online End of Year Equipment Auction – bidding closes Dec. 28th at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

12/29 Equipment Online Auction –bidding closes Dec. 29th at 10 a.m. –bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

12/30 Kaiser Farm Retirement Auction –Centralia, Mo. • Wheeler Auctions & Real Estate

12/31 Real Estate Auction – Doniphan, Mo. • JP’s Estate Liquidation

12/31 Real Estate & Farm Equipment Auction – Billings, Mo. • Melton Auction & Realty Co., LLC

12/31-1/1 Antiques and Primitive Auction – West Plains, Mo. • P&K Enterprise

1/1 New Year’s Day Antique Auction –Branson, Mo. • Coon Ridge Auction Company

1/1 New Year’s Day Antiques, Tools & Firearms Auction – Harviell, Mo. • JP’s Estate Liquidation

1/4 Online Equipment Auction –bidding closes Jan. 4th at 10 a.m. –bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

1/11 Online Equipment Auction –bidding closes Jan. 11th at 10 a.m. –bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

1/12 Former C-Store Surplus Assets Auction – Little Rock, Ark. • Wooley Auctioneers Inc.

1/14 Absolute Real Estate & Estate Auction – Spring eld, Mo. • Diamond S Auction Real Estate Company

1/14 50th Annual Green County Tech FFA Farm Equipment Auction –Paragould, Ark. • Danny Williams Auctions

1/14 January Consignment Auction – El Dorado, Ark. • Davis and Associates Auctioneers

1/18 Online Equipment Auction –bidding opens Dec. 28th at 6 p.m., bidding closes Jan. 18th at 10 a.m. –bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

1/19 Dan Jessen Retirement Auction –bidding opens Dec. 29th at 6 p.m., bidding closes Jan. 19th at 10 a.m. –bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

1/21 Estate Auction – Dexter, Mo. • Dees Auction Management

1/28 Annual January Consignment Auction – Paris, Mo. • Wheeler Auctions & Real Estate

Contact Your Local Extension Center For Information About Upcoming Classes and Events!

University of Arkansas Extension Centers

COUNTY ADDRESS PHONE

Baxter 3 East 9 Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 870-425-2335

Benton 1204 SW 14th Street, Suite 2, Bentonville, AR 72712 479-271-1060

Boone 1800 Extension Lane, Harrison, AR 72601 870-741-6168

Carroll 909B Freeman Switch Road, Berryville, AR 72616 870-423-2958

Cleburne 2319 Hwy 110 West, Suite D, Heber Springs, AR 72543 501-362-2524

Conway UACCM 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, AR 72110 501-354-9618

Crawford 105 Pointer Trail West, Van Buren, AR 72956 479-474-5286

Faulkner 844 Faulkner, Conway, AR 72032 501-329-8344

N. Franklin 300B Airport Road, Ozark, AR 72949 479-667-3720

Fulton 118 West Locust, Suite 107, Salem, AR 72576 870-895-3301

Johnson 129 Sevier Street, PO Box 590, Clarksville, AR 72830 479-754-2240

N. Logan Paris Courthouse, 25 W. Walnut, Room 15, Paris, AR 72855 479-963-2360

S. Logan 366 North Broadway 24 Courthouse, Booneville, AR 72927 479-675-2787

Madison 222 North Gaskill, PO Box 370, Huntsville, AR 72740 479-738-6826

Marion 313 West 7th Street, PO Box 386, Yellville, AR 72687 870-449-6349

Newton 504 West Court Street, PO Box 433, Jasper, AR 72641 870-446-2240

Pope 105 West B Street, Russellville, AR 72811 479-968-7098

Searcy 511 Zack Road, Marshall, AR 72650 870-448-3981

N. Sebastian 6700 Mahogany Avenue, Barling, AR 72923 479-484-7737

Van Buren 1414 Hwy 65 South, Suite 137, Clinton, AR 72031 501-745-7117

Washington 2536 North McConnel Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704 479-444-1755

White 411 North Spruce, Searcy, AR 72143 501-268-5394

Oklahoma State University Extension Centers

COUNTY ADDRESS PHONE

Adair 220 W. Division St./Courthouse Basement, Stilwell, OK 74960 918-696-2253

Cherokee 908 South College, Tahlequah, OK 74464 918-456-6163

Craig 210 W Delaware Ave, Suite 107, Vinita, 74301 918-256-7569

Delaware 38267 US Hwy 59, PO Box 1020, Jay, OK 74346 918-253-4332

Le Flore 103 N. Church St., Courthouse Annex, Poteau, OK 74953 918-647-8231

Mayes 2200 NE 1st (Old Hwy 20), Pryor, OK 74362 918-825-3241

Muskogee 1440 South Cherokee, Muskogee, OK 74403 918-686-7200

Ottawa 123 East Central Avenue, Suite 101, Miami, OK 74354 918-542-1688

Rogers 200 South Lynn Riggs Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017 918-923-4958

Sequoyah 120 East Chickasaw, Suite 107, Sallisaw, OK 74955 918-775-4838

Tulsa 4116 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, 74112 918-746-3700

Wagoner 30058 East 147th Street South, Coweta, OK 74429 918-486-4589

ozarks’ calendar

January 2023

12 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Pope County Extension Office, Russellville, Ark. – for more information call 479-968-7098

19 Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Le Flore County Extension Office, Poteau, Okla. – for more information or to register call 918-647-8231

23-4/3 Tri-County Master Gardener Program – every Monday from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Cost: $100, includes manual – for more information or to register contact Haleigh at 918-542-1688

25

26

Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 2 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Washington County Extension Office, 2536 N. McConnell Avenue, Fayetteville, Ark. –to register call 479-444-1755

Clover 101: 4-H Club and Project Fair – 5-7 p.m. – Washington County Extension Office, 2536 N. McConnell Avenue, Fayetteville, Ark. – free event and open to anyone interested in learning about the 4-H youth development program – for questions call 479-444-1755

26

River Valley Soybean Production Meeting – 8:30 a.m.-noon – Fairgrounds, Morrilton, Ark. – for more information call 501-354-9618

February 2023

2

Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Fulton County Fairgrounds, Salem, Ark. – for more information call 870-895-3301 15-17 Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show – bad weather rescheduling dates are Feb. 22-24 – Sallisaw, Okla. – for more information contact the Sequoyah County OSU Extension Office at 918-775-4838 20 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – White County Extension Office, 2400 Landing Road, Searcy, Ark. – for more information or to register call 501-268-5394

March 2023 16 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – White County Extension Office, 2400 Landing Road, Searcy, Ark. – for more information or to register call 501-268-5394

ozarks’ auction block

December 2022

January 2023

2023 National Limousin Sale – Oklahoma City, Okla. – 303-220-1693

Magness Land & Cattle Mile-High Elite Sale – L365auctions.com – 402-350-3447 or 970-396-3584

February 2023

Loonan Stock Farm 48th Anniversary Production Sale – at the farm, Corning, Iowa – 641-322-3921

Hoover Angus Annual Production Sale – Hoover Angus Sale Facility, Shannon City, Iowa – 641-344-7684 or 641-344-3234

Gilbert Cattle Company 2nd Annual Production Sale – Oldfield, Mo. –417-860-6500 or 417-224-6296

Galaxy Beef Production Sale – Macon, Mo. – 816-244-4462 or 660-254-1337

66th Anniversary Missouri Angus Breeders’ Futurity Sale – Columbia, Mo. – 805-234-7191

BALANCER

Rumfelt Farms

Phillipsburg, Mo. 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com

BRANGUS

Horsehead Ranch

Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net

GELBVIEH

Rumfelt Farms

Phillipsburg, Mo. 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com

HEREFORD

Laze D Herefords & Bakerville Cattle Co. Jerico Springs, Mo. 417-398-0019 lazedherefords@hotmail.com

LIMOUSIN

Glendenning J Bar J Lebanon, Mo. 417-588-6121 417-664-0913 417-664-1186 jack@jbarjlimousin.com www.jbarjlimousin.com

RED ANGUS

Watkins Cattle Company Harrison, Ark. 870-741-9795 870-688-1232 watkinscattleco@ windstream.net

ULTRABLACK

Horsehead Ranch

Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net

Country Veterinary Service

Tim E. O’Neill, DVM 479-267-2685 Farmington, AR cvsvet.com 30 years of serving both farm and family.

www.ozarksfn.com