Julie Turner-Crawford Lady farmers

Across The Fence

By Julie Turner-Crawford

It’s the time of year again when we celebrate the contributions of women to agriculture.

Recent stats show more than 55 percent of all farming operations in the U.S. have at least one critical female decision maker or operator. That number, according to the USDA, has risen since 2012.

I know many fantastic lady farmers and ranchers. They are as capable as their male counterparts when it comes to handling livestock, driving anything they climb into, making repairs or building something from scratch, and they are pretty business savvy. I envy a few of them for their operations and abilities.

Ladies, you also don’t have to be the “top hand,” which you likely are, at your family’s farm or ranch to be

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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.

MAIN DISH

Taco Beef Nuggets with Tejano Dipping Sauce

From Arkansas Beef • 1 pound lean ground beef • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped mild green chilies, drained • 16 cubes Colby Jack cheese (1/2-inch) • 1 egg white • 1 Tbsp water • 2 C crushed nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips

SAUCE: • 6 Tbsp prepared thick taco sauce • 3 Tbps honey

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ground beef, taco seasoning and green chilies in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Divide beef mixture into 16 portions; shape each portion around a cheese cube, completely covering cheese. Beat egg white with water in shallow dish until blended. Place chips in second shallow dish. Dip each meatball into egg white mixture, then into chips to coat completely. Press each meatball into a flattened nugget shape, generously coating both sides of nugget with chips. Spray large baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place nuggets in baking pan; spray tops of nuggets generously with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine sauce ingredients in small microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 30 seconds or until warm. Serve nuggets with sauce.

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

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Across the Fence

Continued from Previous Page

a critical element of the operation. You might not be as hands-on on your farm as some other ladies, but how many trips have you made a trip to town for parts? How many meals have you prepared? How many loads of clothes and kids have you washed? How about the “Hey, I need you to…” phone calls? The men in your lives might not realize it, but ladies, you are a true partner and a decision maker in the operation of your farm or ranch.

Women, in my opinion, are a little more nurturing when it comes to getting a sick animal baby back on its feet. Not to say that men aren’t good at it, but there’s something about a woman’s touch and determination to save them all. I think that’s why I currently have four cats, Nell the Wonder Dog, an old stray dog who comes and goes that we’ve named Buddy. It’s a menagerie at our place sometimes, but I can’t let anything go hungry, so that’s why the population seems to fluctuate. The Momma Cat showed up last year and blessed us with five kittens, three of which I found homes for, is the best mouser we have ever had, and likes to leave them at the back door or on the sidewalk as proof she is pulling her own weight, so she has a forever home. I guess the “Boys,” the two kittens we kept do too. Bill said I have got my crazy cat lady starter pack, but I catch him scratching them on the head as he goes out to the shop.

As I write this, I can’t help but think of a few young women I have known since they were little girls. They are their mommas’ daughters, with a little of their dads mixed in, but mostly their moms. They are tough ladies with tremendous grit and capable of doing anything they set their minds to, just like their moms. They are also kind and considerate and would do anything for their families and friends, just like their mommas. They are doing things their way, and I’m so proud to know them. Strong women raise strong daughters.

In my family, we are boy poor with just two, but we have lots of girls, nine to be exact. My nieces and great-nieces are all farm kiddos. They too are a lot like their mommas, with a little of their dads thrown in. Some have a little more sass than others and all have their own personalities, and I love them all the same. Some of the girls have their own cattle, and we have at least one horse girl. They also know more about agriculture than some of their peers.

As they grow, I hope the younger girls never forget their raisin’ and continue to love life on the farm. I hope they never doubt themselves and their abilities, on or off the farm. I hope they, too, grow to be strong women who raise strong daughters. just like their mommas and grandmas. And maybe even have a hit of their Aunt Julie.

always has, by chasing birds, butterflies and bunny rabbits. Like her best friend, she is both overweight and hard-ofhearing, so I’m sure she never heard the vehicle coming. A good neighbor found her body and returned her to her home, where we gave her a proper burial.

Bernie never became a cow dog, but she was the most loyal friend, protector and confidant that this farmer ever had the pleasure of knowing. Bernie never disappointed.

R.I.P. Bernie 2012-2022

Life Is Simple

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Over the years, Bernie learned that calves would often jump over the concrete cattle guard that separates our yard from the surrounding pasture, and she assumed the role of yard guard. It didn’t take long for each new crop of calves to learn that Bernie meant business in keeping the yard free of bovines. The last couple of years, she wouldn’t even give them the chance to come close to the yard fence.

Bernie was also a great protector of her best friend. On more than one occasion, as I tagged a newborn calf, Bernie has jumped out of the UTV to keep the momma cow from getting too familiar with me. Bernie never disappointed, and I’m convinced she would have sacrificed her own well-being to assure mine.

A couple of months ago, Bernie jumped in the UTV as I set out to spray thistles. She has never liked the sound that the sprayer makes, and as soon as I started spraying, the old dog jumped out and started amusing herself, as she