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Just a Way of Life By Amanda Bradley
Kati Jones says her daily tasks at the J5 Farm are all in a day’s work Kati Jones doesn’t really consider herself a “woman in agriculture.” Bottle-feeding twin calves at dawn because the momma cow kicked them off is no big deal. Driving 20 minutes for the raw milk to feed them isn’t either. Loading up her four children to search for cows that aren’t in the pasture they’re supposed to be, then luring said cows to the right field is just something that has to be done. While most people might disagree, Kati thinks these tasks are just an everyday part of life, and one she doesn’t consider notable work. Kati and her husband Shawn Jones have just “always had cows,” or goats, rabbits, sheep or some other farm animal the family has decided to keep for a while. Agriculture is as natural as going to the grocery store or cooking dinner to Kati. Kati is no stranger to driving a tractor or baling hay. She’s always just worked right alongside Shawn when she isn’t driving everywhere for her boys’ sports or teaching them their homeschool lessons. While Shawn is away at his full-time job for business, the farm falls on her shoulders. Kati said they’ve been keeping cattle for nearly a decade and they’ve had all kinds of farm animals. “I loved having turkeys the most but since moving we only now have cattle,” she said. Kati and Shawn are both from Buffalo, Mo. They traveled a lot for Shawn’s work over the past few years, so some of their time was spent in Texas. They have since moved back to Dallas County, Mo. The Jones family, at J5 Farm, consists of Kati, Shawn, and their four JULY 12, 2021
boys Micheal, Isaac, Paul and Samuel. And of course, the many pets and farm animals. Currently J5 Farm has a mix of Brangus, Red Angus, black Angus and a few crossbreeds. There are 21 cows, one bull and 13 calves, with more to the way, at their 80 acres of farmland in Elkland, Mo. They keep some of their calves to raise, selling others at market or to individuals. Their beef is raised on mostly pasture, hay in the winter and only a little feed, which is great bait when they need to be moved from field to field. The herd is kept healthy with regular vaccinations. Kati loves knowing the beef she’s feeding her family has been raised in the sunshine on big, grassy pastures. “I love being able to grow my own food, knowing where they’ve come from, what they’ve eaten and how they’ll be processed. It gives our family immense satisfaction,” she said. It’s also gratifying for her to know their farm is providing a quality food source to whoever purchasKati Jones, pictured with her four sons es their cattle. Micheal, Isaac, Paul and Samuel, said The family is in the process of raising livestock is just a way of life for purchasing more land with their her family. new home. With more acreage, the family is hoping to expand Photo by Amanda Bradley their farm. “Someday I hope to venture into bison, only because they’re unique and a bit rarer in this area,” Kati said. She also wants to be able to provide more of a variety of meats right on the family’s own land. She believes raising your own meat is not only food security, but it’s one of the safest and healthiest as well. Her concern for the health and management of the animals the family Elkland, Mo. raises and the food source they will become is apparent. As for being labeled a “woman in agriculture” it’s just a way of life to Kati.
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
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