Sam Cooper says his farm was a blessing in disguise

A Blessing in Disguise

Sam Cooper says his Jasper County, Mo., farm is his playground, and he finds it very calming and relaxing.

By Rachel Harper The Cooper family took a vacant farm and transformed it to Stormy Farms Sam Cooper grew up sharing The farm is mostly based on organic and time with his parents between Renon-GMO farming practices. They curpublic, Mo., and Santa Cruz, Carently have 500 chickens, 50 hogs and four lif. In Missouri, he worked on a dairy farm cows. Most of the chickens are broilers and after graduating high school, enrolled with some laying hens. The hogs are mixed in the Army, serving for 22 years. Hampshire’s, Large Blacks and Gloucester

In 2015, Sam’s wife Joanie encouraged shire Old Spots, and the cattle are mixed him to re-establish contact with his adoptAngus and Hereford. All of the animals ed dad Ted Watkins, who lived in Califorare raised non-GMO and on pasture. nia. Sam took her advice and met up with The chickens live in chicken tractors Ted in Carthage, Mo. During the visit, Ted and are moved daily, never being on the took Sam out to his farm and asked him if same piece of ground twice in one year. he had any interest in running it. The cattle are almost 100 percent grass fed

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a but get a pound of cubes that are 18 perkid,” Sam said. “So of course I jumped on it.” cent protein and non-GMO, mainly just

No one had done anything with the house to get them accustomed to people more or the farm for more than 10 years. Ted had than a feed source. originally bought the farm 30 years ago for his Their pasture for the hogs and cattle conbrother who started a dairy farm, but when his tains fescue, clover, field peas, oats and a brother died the farm was left vacant. cover crop mix.

In August 2017, Stormy Farms in CarThey look for healthy cattle in their thage, Mo., became an unexpected opporbreeding stock to provide a quality meat tunity for Sam and Joanie. Sam decided for their customers. The cattle are not to name the farm after his late sister Juvaccinated, nor do they have added horlia (Stormy) Storm Cooper-Watkins who mones. Antibiotics are only given as a last passed away at the age of 26 while Sam was resort. Their chickens, hogs and cattle are stationed in Korea. all butchered and sold at the farmers mar

With this grand opportunity, Sam and kets in Webb City, Mo, and Springfield, Joanie started working on the farm right Mo. They also sell organic eggs. away by remodeling the house, cleaning Sam takes care of the animals while Joanie out the trees and putting up fence. tends to the garden. Joanie’s son Justin Yanc “It was a blessing in disguise,” Sam said. ey also helps with the farm chores. Joanie A former deputy sheriff, Sam continued to maintains the farm’s website, Facebook page work as a truck mechanic in Springfield, and all phone orders. They hope to start onMo., until March 2019 when he was able line orders in the next couple years. to come to the farm full time. Collecting rainwater for the animals is just

Stormy Farms is 260 acres, one way they have taken advantage of evwith the main 73 acres where ery opportunity natures provides. they live and raise their ani“Chickens put nitrogen back in the mals and vegetables. The other soil, cows put manure in the soil, two farms are used for hay proand we want to use everything as duction. The Coopers have been trading their hay for cattle in Carthage, Mo. effectively as possible rather than depleting the ground,” Sam said. hopes of one day running animals They want to get the microon all their farm ground. biome in the ground back up

GOOSENECK TRAILERS LIVESTOCK TRAILERS • FLATBEDS • DUMP TRAILERS FRYE FARMS • SENECA, MO • 417-438-0146

Wholesale Seed Division

417-725-3512 • 1-800-648-7379

Wt. Lbs. ALFALFA Bulk Lb. Bag Lb. Wt. Lbs. FESCUE Germ $ Lb. Add a Legume 60 COMMON SENSE, 3-WAY BLEND 3.06 2.86 50 KY-31, Certifi ed & Endophyte-Free 90% 1.69 Haygrazer, Cimarron & Liberty, Inoc/Not Coated 50 GENUITY-ROUNDUP READY®, 7.48 L446RR Coated 65% Pure 50 HAYGRAZER, Cert. Inoc/Not Coated 90% 2.96 50 CIMARRON-VL400, Cert. Inoc/Not Coated 90% 2.96 ONLY $12.00 PER ACRE DIFFERENCE 50 KY-32, Certifi ed & Endophyte-Free 90% 1.69 50 KY-31 90% 1.24 50 KY-31 & 13% ORCHARD GRASS MIX 87% 1.18 50 KY-31 & 12% ANN. RYEGRASS MIX 90% 1.04 GRAINS Custom Mix Bag 50 FAST PASTURE MIX, Cattle/Horse 90% 1.69 63% Endophyte-Free KY-31 Fescue, 14% Hulled Orchard Grass, Wt. Lbs. 50 COLDGRAZER RYE, Stain Cross Cereal Grain 50 TRITICALE, Fridge +$1 bg +$1 bg 16.85 18.65 19% Best-For Plus Ryegrass & 4% Timothy 25 BAR OPTIMA E34, Friendly Endophyte, Sept. 5 25 MAX Q II TEXOMA, Friendly Endophyte, Sept. 5 ASK ASK 50 TRITICALE, TriCal 348, Sept. 10 +$1 bg 19.95 25 ESTANCIA, Friendly Endophyte, Sept. 5 ASK and running since nothing has been done on the farm in a long time. They use hydroponics to grow fodder, which is barley seed they sprout, and all the animals love. It takes about 10 days from start to finish when it is then ready to feed. 50 WHEAT-FORAGE MAXX, 50 WHEAT-TRUMAN, Combine Type, Limited 50 WHEAT-VANTAGE, Aug 30 Compares to AgriMaxx +$1 bg 11.74 +$1 bg 15.85 +$1 bg 14.74 DEER PLOT 60 DEER PLOT MIX 1.36 1.16 EA BAG PLANTS 1/2 ACRE: Coldgrazer Rye, Bob Oats, Peas, Alfalfa, Jumbo Ladino Clover, Crimson Clover, Turnips, Radish, Chicory, Rape Bulk Lb. Bag Lb.

This year they are expanding their garden in hopes of selling vegetables at the farmers 50 FALL FORAGE OAT, Aug 30 +$1 bg 19.45 50 BULLSEYE ANNUAL DEER MIX 38.64/Bag market. They have applied for a high tunnel grant from the USDA and want to incorporate a no-till garden system. The seeds are locally sourced with vegetables started in trays inside and others in the ground outside. The seed trays are set in other trays filled with water so that the plants pull water as needed. The garden consists of organic soil amendments such as peppermint to keep bugs off plants. They farm with a small 55-horse tractor and a few implements. Sam said he wants to proBag Lb. 50 BARLEY, Winter Atlantic, Limited +$1 bg 18.85 GRAIN ADDITIVES 50 WINTER PEA, Austrian 0.79 0.59 50 HAIRY VETCH, Winter Legume 1.94 1.74 50 TURNIPS, Purple Top 1.66 1.46 50 TURNIPS, 7 Top Forage 1.88 1.68 50 RADISH, Daikon Driller 1.62 1.42 $ Lb. CONTAINS 11 WINTER ANNUALS: Rye, Triticale, Wheat, Oats, Peas, 2 Types Turnips, Vetch, Clover, Collards, Rape 50 BROADSIDE BLEND, Eagle Seed Fall 66.84/Bag 50 BUFFALO FALL BLEND, Eagle Seed Fall 68.86/Bag 50 SMORGASBORD BLEND, Eagle Seed Fall 68.86/Bag 25 CHICORY, “6 Point” Perennial 4.92 4.72 50 JUMBO LADINO CLOVER 3.98 3.78 60 ALFALFA, Haygrazer 3.16 2.96 vide as low disturbance as possible to nature and let the ground do the work for them. Being a regenerative farm is important while respecting the ground. Sam has limited knowledge of how to run a farm but has learned a lot from Youtubers and 50 COLLARDS, Impact ORCHARD GRASS 50 ARID, Drought Tolerant 1.98 1.88 90% 2.26 Germ $ Lb. Add a Legume 50 BUCKWHEAT, Apr-Aug 50 PEAS, Austrian 50 RAPE - BRASSICA, Canola 50 RADISH - DAIKON, “Driller” 1.48 1.28 0.79 0.59 1.30 1.10 1.62 1.42 believes if you watch animals and the ground, they will tell you what they need. “It’s a learning curve. Every farm is different. There is no one solution,” he said. “You can 50 ARID “DR”, Disease + Drought Resistant 50 POTOMAC, Disease Resistant 90% 2.56 90% 1.98 50 TURNIPS, Purple Top 50 TURNIPS, 7-Top 50 COLLARDS, Impact 1.74 1.54 1.98 1.78 1.98 1.88 go to another farm and see how they do things but unfortunately because the land, terrain, 50 HULLED ORCHARD, VNS 85% 2.64 and vegetation is different it is just not the same. “You can’t run one farm exactly like you run another.” Your Ag Chemicals Headquarters!

Trying to build the farm and get into the community has been very difficult. “The farm community is very close-knit. You have to gain their trust and earn your right to 510 W Mt Vernon, Nixa, MO 65714 No license req’d to buy 2,4-D or GrazonNext! be there. Their trust is not given freely but I wouldn’t want to be a part of a community that would accept people just because they showed up.” nixahardware.com

The Cooper’s believe it is important people know where their food comes from. They hope Nixa Hardware Company warrants to the extent of the purchase price that seeds sold are as described on the container within recognized tolerances. Seller gives no other or further warranty expressed or implied. Prices/Germination subject to change to incorporate transparency into their farm through future tours. SAVE YOUR SEED SAMPLE without notice. We reserve the right to limit quantities. SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE

AUGUST 31, 2020 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com 9