march 2014 | Section A
Story by Ryan Trares | Photos by Josh Marshall
The Dougherty brothers balance their careers and the farm
E (From left) George Dougherty, his son, Luke, and his brother, Tom, release grain from the silo to feed the cattle.
very day on the Dougherty beef cattle farm about 100 steers need care. Each animal receives corn from the family’s silo, and troughs are checked to ensure the cattle have plenty of water. Brothers Tom and George Dougherty share in the responsibilities of running the beef cattle operation. They fit the work into their day whenever they can, since both men also have full-time jobs outside the farm. The Dougherty brothers exemplify the challenges of small farmers to continue their agricultural tradition while being able to support their families. Their beef cattle operation has been in existence in Clark Township for almost 60 years, and the family has been involved in agriculture in Johnson County for five generations. But where farming in the past has been able to
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support the entire family, both of the Doughertys have found the need for work elsewhere. “There’s still a place for small operations,” Tom says. “But you have to be efficient and supplement it with non-farm jobs. We’re just part-time farmers.” Their father, Troy Dougherty, bought the farm in 1955. As youngsters, the brothers would help with tending to the cattle and selling the animals. In spring, they assisted with the planting of row crops and then harvested their yield. When Troy retired, the family still felt it was important to keep the farm going, George says. Though they have been committed to the farm throughout their lives, they trained in other careers to help supplement and support their own families. George works as a commercial banking representative for First Merchants
>> See cattle farm on a4