meet your neighbors
Photos by Terry Ropp
Dairy cattle are just a part of the Howard family operation. Pictured from left,are Isaiah Howard’s fiance Hannah, Isaiah Howard, Jennifer Howard and Dean Howard
By Terry Ropp
Multiple Generations and Operations
The Howard family offers not only raw milk, but farm-raised beef, pork, produce and more Change is constant, even in multi-generational farms. An example is the Howard farm in Elkins, Ark., where three generations are living and working together.
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Family matriarch Mary Lou Howard, amazing and interesting,” Jennifer said. her son Dean and his wife Jennifer as After completing high school, Dean well as their son Isaiah and his fian- worked for 22 years at the University of cée Hannah all live at the farm. Dean Arkansas heating plant. Jennifer helped and Jennifer are currently running the on the farm, but took over when Loyd 100-acre farm. Dean’s father passed. By that time, Loyd’s herd Loyd ran a commercial beef had been sold and Dean and operation in addition to log- Elkins, Ark. Jennifer were building their ging both his land and othown commercial herd. ers’ properties. The dairy herd began acci“When I came into the dentally in 2014 when Dean family, Loyd was still using and Jennifer went to a sale barn a mule to log, which I found and saw a young 400-pound Jersey Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
heifer that Jennifer thought was just too cute to be turned in to meat. The couple brought the heifer home and were amazed when she had a calf only two months later, giving birth to their dairy, as well a heifer. calf. The Howard dairy herd consists of four cows and three Jersey heifers. Because Arkansas law dictates raw milk must be sold off the farm rather than through farmers market, Jerseys are a logical breed with a higher fat content that appeals to consumers. JUNE 7, 2021
