Horsecreek Farm Recognized For 100 Years In Service
November 14, 2019
John and Connie Johnson
Among the celebrated century farmers this year were John and Connie Johnson of Galena for their Horsecreek Farm. Horsecreek Farm was purchased by the tomato canner, William “Roy” Nelson on February 10th, 1919 as growing fields for tomatoes. In 1925, Roy had fifteen tomato canning factories and was reputed to be the largest individual canner in the world. In 1922, he shipped an entire trainload (35 cars) of tomatoes from Crane, Mo.
From 1919 to 1956, Horsecreek Farm was used for growing tomatoes, raising goats, and running cattle. Lola May Florance, who inherited the farm from her Aunt, and her husband Warren Johnson were the next generation to manage Horsecreek Farm. They remodeled an old house on the farm for members of the family while continuing to rent pasture for cattle and spend summers fishing in the James River.
In 1983, Warren and Lola Mae’s son, John Johnson, retired from a career in the United States Navy and moved to Horsecreek Farm. John dreamed of changing the use of the farm from cattle to growing trees. With help from the Missouri Dept. of Conservation and the support of his wife, Connie, they began to establish what has become a well-known and respected Certified Tree Farm.
During the next 25 years the Johnsons have received many awards including:
Horsecreek Farm became Certified American Tree Farm number 1018 on April 1, 1987.
1989 Missouri State Tree Farm of the Year.
1998 Missouri State Tree Farm of the year.
1999 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farm of the year.
Both Johnsons’ have served as chairpersons of the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee, Connie in 1995-1996 and John in 2001-2002.
Horsecreek Farm was put under a Conservation Easement to guarantee its continued use as a Tree Farm plus a natural area and protect it from the threat of development.
The Johnsons have hosted countless Tree Farm Open Houses and Tours over the years, worked with youth groups, held Summer Camps for their 6 grandchildren, promoted forestry at many, public meetings and even sponsored a Summer Reading Program at the Stone County Library. Connie became a certified Missouri Master Naturalist in 2007 and published several magazine articles on introducing children to the out-of- doors.
The serious work of Forest Stewardship and sustainable forestry continues actively with harvests of fully mature trees which also produce many cords of firewood. The Johnsons have added several parcels of land to the farm to provide a continuous mile of access to the James River, and create better trails for timber harvesting. Controlled hunting is practiced and recently the local Civil Air Patrol began holding search and rescue exercises for their cadets. Horsecreek Farm has changed in wonderful ways over the past 100 years!
John and Connie continue to carry on the family tradition managing Horsecreek Tree Farm to produce high quality mixed hardwood logs, provide opportunities for recreation, protect the beautiful James River that borders the farm and very importantly protect the native wildlife. John and Connie hope the next generation of John’s three sons will love Horsecreek Tree Farm as much as they do and preserve it for another generation.
From 1919 to 1956, Horsecreek Farm was used for growing tomatoes, raising goats, and running cattle. Lola May Florance, who inherited the farm from her Aunt, and her husband Warren Johnson were the next generation to manage Horsecreek Farm. They remodeled an old house on the farm for members of the family while continuing to rent pasture for cattle and spend summers fishing in the James River.
In 1983, Warren and Lola Mae’s son, John Johnson, retired from a career in the United States Navy and moved to Horsecreek Farm. John dreamed of changing the use of the farm from cattle to growing trees. With help from the Missouri Dept. of Conservation and the support of his wife, Connie, they began to establish what has become a well-known and respected Certified Tree Farm.
During the next 25 years the Johnsons have received many awards including:
Horsecreek Farm became Certified American Tree Farm number 1018 on April 1, 1987.
1989 Missouri State Tree Farm of the Year.
1998 Missouri State Tree Farm of the year.
1999 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farm of the year.
Both Johnsons’ have served as chairpersons of the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee, Connie in 1995-1996 and John in 2001-2002.
Horsecreek Farm was put under a Conservation Easement to guarantee its continued use as a Tree Farm plus a natural area and protect it from the threat of development.
The Johnsons have hosted countless Tree Farm Open Houses and Tours over the years, worked with youth groups, held Summer Camps for their 6 grandchildren, promoted forestry at many, public meetings and even sponsored a Summer Reading Program at the Stone County Library. Connie became a certified Missouri Master Naturalist in 2007 and published several magazine articles on introducing children to the out-of- doors.
The serious work of Forest Stewardship and sustainable forestry continues actively with harvests of fully mature trees which also produce many cords of firewood. The Johnsons have added several parcels of land to the farm to provide a continuous mile of access to the James River, and create better trails for timber harvesting. Controlled hunting is practiced and recently the local Civil Air Patrol began holding search and rescue exercises for their cadets. Horsecreek Farm has changed in wonderful ways over the past 100 years!
John and Connie continue to carry on the family tradition managing Horsecreek Tree Farm to produce high quality mixed hardwood logs, provide opportunities for recreation, protect the beautiful James River that borders the farm and very importantly protect the native wildlife. John and Connie hope the next generation of John’s three sons will love Horsecreek Tree Farm as much as they do and preserve it for another generation.