ozarks
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home
By Amanda Bradley
Submitted Photo
A parcel of land in Laclede County, Mo., was acquired by the Cunningham family in 1889. Today the farm has been transformed into an apiary yet is still owned by a member of the Cunningham bloodline. Tracy (Cunningham) Bobbitt and her husband Mac Bobbitt own 320 acres in Conway, Missouri, where their farming operations consist of selling hay, growing elderberries, and most interestingly, letting their many bees swarm native plants and pasture. The couple made the farm an official Century Farm in 2015. The farm has had continuous Cunning-
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Farm established in 1889 is still buzzing with activity
ham ownership for more than 130 years. The original owner was Tracy’s great-great grandfather Joseph Cunningham, and great-great grandmother, whose name is believed to have been Caroline. Family legend has it that it was Tracy’s great-great grandmother who actually built the first Cunningham home on the property. Tracy’s great grandparents, William and Mollie Cunningham, were the next owners, followed by Tracy’s grandparents, Tom and Dorrlis Cunningham. Tracy is the fifth generation on the farm, but the fourth Cunningham to own the property. The original parcel of land didn’t include
320 acres, only 60, but over the years adjoining parcels were acquired to grow the farm’s size. Tracy and Mac purchased the property in 2009 and built a new home very close to where the original structure stood on the hillside. The original home housed many members and hosted many meals over the decades. The farm itself had a purpose of providing food for the family, a true homestead in the 1800s sense of the word. Tracy and Mac recounted there used to be a dairy farm on the property, and the family grew peanuts and corn, as well in addition to their own daily food staples.
Tracy and Mac have two grown sons they raised in the Springfield area before retiring to the country. Tracy, a retired teacher from Republic Schools, and Mac, who retired from the UPS, now enjoy their time on the historical land keeping bees, selling honey, growing elderberries and spending time with their granddaughter. Mac used to help his father with bees and has had an interest in beekeeping. He purchased bees from his mentor a few years ago and his hobby bloomed. He now has 12 hives which he spreads across the Ozarks both for the good of the bees and for friends’ properties which benefit from
Photos by Amanda Bradley
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
MAY 23, 2022
