MU Extension Honors Stone County Farm Families
September 23, 2021
The Mease family farm in Reeds Spring was purchased by Frank Mease in 1889.
The Cutbirth family of Crane were chosen as this year’s Stone County Farm Family of the Year by the Stone County MU Extension.
|
The Carpenter family farm in Blue Eye near the Star schoolhouse was purchased by Charles and Julia Carpenter house where Julia worked as a teacher.
|
Century farms and ranches have shaped the nation. In 1976, the Centennial Farm project was initiated in Missouri to award certificates to persons owning farms that had been in the same family for 100 years or more. This year two Stone County families have received this honor.
This year’s recipients include Larry Mease and family for their 4th generation farm, RJ Farms, in Reeds Spring near Mease Holler. Larry’s grandfather, Frank Mease, purchased the land in 1889. The original property was around 3,400 acres and divided among Frank’s family including his son, RJ. Originally, the land was used to grow tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, strawberries, peaches, grapes, and eventually beef cattle. Presently, the farm is used for hay and beef cattle on their now 163 acres. Larry’s son, Richard (Robby) Jarret and his wife Amber are currently working the land.
Also honored was Carpenter Farm in Blue Eye near the old firehouse. Original owners, Charles and Julia Carpenter bought the 200 acres to be near the Star school house where Julia worked as a teacher. Over the years the farm was used to grow tobacco, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, watermelon, and raise dairy cattle. Of Charles and Julia’s children, Mable, Macie, Myrle, and Lawrence, the farm was handed down to Lawrence who married Jewell. Their children, Hadley Carpenter and Sharon Morris now reside on the farm. Hadley and his wife, Jerry Sue raised their children, Wade, Wendy, Tracy, Julie, and Kristy Jean on the farm. David and Tracy Fugitt’s children include Brianna, Jessica and John Hadley who married Sheyanne and have baby Gracelynn. Wayde and Stephanie Carpenter have daughters Kristi, Courtney, and Cassidy. Wendy Youngblood’s children include Brittney Mann (husband Dwayne and son Cale who also currently reside on the land), Whitley, and Willie Ray (also pictured, Trevor Phinney). Julie Carpenter’s children include Kyle, Shawn, and Audriana. Like so many Stone County farms, it is currently used for hay and beef cattle.
Brian and Carol Cutbirth and family of Crane were selected as the Stone County Farm Family by Stone County MU Extension and the local Farm Bureau. Each year, the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state that are active in their communities, involved in agriculture, and/or participate in local Extension programs. The Cutbirth family works together to operate a 1,000-acre cow/calf farm where they background their own calves. They all work together for success. The family includes Brian and Carol Cutbirth, Emma Cutbirth, Travis Gaulding, Beau Dotson, Jocelyn Dotson, Braylin Gaulding, Bailee Gaulding.
The Stone County MU Extension Council hosted a dinner at New Testament Christian Church in Reeds Spring to honor these farm families, their service, and impact on our local economy and heritage. Table Rock Community bank generously provided the dinner catered by Danna’s BBQ in Branson West.
To learn more about Missouri Century Farms or to apply visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/century-farms.
This year’s recipients include Larry Mease and family for their 4th generation farm, RJ Farms, in Reeds Spring near Mease Holler. Larry’s grandfather, Frank Mease, purchased the land in 1889. The original property was around 3,400 acres and divided among Frank’s family including his son, RJ. Originally, the land was used to grow tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, strawberries, peaches, grapes, and eventually beef cattle. Presently, the farm is used for hay and beef cattle on their now 163 acres. Larry’s son, Richard (Robby) Jarret and his wife Amber are currently working the land.
Also honored was Carpenter Farm in Blue Eye near the old firehouse. Original owners, Charles and Julia Carpenter bought the 200 acres to be near the Star school house where Julia worked as a teacher. Over the years the farm was used to grow tobacco, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, watermelon, and raise dairy cattle. Of Charles and Julia’s children, Mable, Macie, Myrle, and Lawrence, the farm was handed down to Lawrence who married Jewell. Their children, Hadley Carpenter and Sharon Morris now reside on the farm. Hadley and his wife, Jerry Sue raised their children, Wade, Wendy, Tracy, Julie, and Kristy Jean on the farm. David and Tracy Fugitt’s children include Brianna, Jessica and John Hadley who married Sheyanne and have baby Gracelynn. Wayde and Stephanie Carpenter have daughters Kristi, Courtney, and Cassidy. Wendy Youngblood’s children include Brittney Mann (husband Dwayne and son Cale who also currently reside on the land), Whitley, and Willie Ray (also pictured, Trevor Phinney). Julie Carpenter’s children include Kyle, Shawn, and Audriana. Like so many Stone County farms, it is currently used for hay and beef cattle.
Brian and Carol Cutbirth and family of Crane were selected as the Stone County Farm Family by Stone County MU Extension and the local Farm Bureau. Each year, the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state that are active in their communities, involved in agriculture, and/or participate in local Extension programs. The Cutbirth family works together to operate a 1,000-acre cow/calf farm where they background their own calves. They all work together for success. The family includes Brian and Carol Cutbirth, Emma Cutbirth, Travis Gaulding, Beau Dotson, Jocelyn Dotson, Braylin Gaulding, Bailee Gaulding.
The Stone County MU Extension Council hosted a dinner at New Testament Christian Church in Reeds Spring to honor these farm families, their service, and impact on our local economy and heritage. Table Rock Community bank generously provided the dinner catered by Danna’s BBQ in Branson West.
To learn more about Missouri Century Farms or to apply visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/century-farms.