By MATT PIKE
The University of Missouri Extension office is inviting farmers, ranchers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and rural residents to join in on a new batch of Field to Consumer Farm Tours.
The three part workshop series is designed to help producers transform ideas into profitable farm enterprises. The series will begin on August 6th from 9 to 11am. at 1840 Cattle Co., located at 9231 NW 316th Street in Gower, Missouri, where participants will experience firsthand what it takes to move beef from field to table while learning business strategies that create value-added opportunities and strengthen farm profitability.
1840 Cattle Co. is a family-owned business built on deep agricultural roots dating back to the early 1800s. The retail operation is relatively new, but the family's cattle heritage can be traced specifically to 1840 in the Buchanan and Clinton County region. The operation is managed by fifth- and sixth-generation farmers and cattlemen who are now passing their knowledge and traditions to a seventh generation.
Beth Gibson leads the retail division and has guided the company's growth through a customer-focused approach, commitment to quality meat products sourced from family. Tour participants will meet Beth and Jeff Gibson, the owners behind 1840 Cattle Co. and will learn how the family developed a direct-to-consumer beef enterprise while maintaining a strong commitment to stewardship, family heritage, and community engagement.
"Many producers have innovative ideas and tremendous passion for agriculture, but long-term success requires strong business planning, marketing, financial management, and risk management skills," MU Extension Field Specialist in Agricultural Business and Policy Denice Ferguson says in a news release. "These tours allow participants to learn directly from successful farm families while gaining practical strategies they can implement in their own operations."
The farm tours are organized by MU Extension's Agricultural Business and Policy team, which works with agricultural entrepreneurs across Missouri to help them not only realize their dreams of farm ownership and business growth, but also develop financially successful and sustainable rural lifestyles.
Under the theme "Real Farms. Real Strategies. Real Opportunities," the series will take participants onto working farms to see how producers are building profitable operations through diversification, including agritourism, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets, direct marketing, and value-added agricultural products. Other tours will include.
- Aug. 20 – Triple H Family Farm, Marshall Participants will learn how this Saline County farm grows and markets fresh vegetables through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and local farmers markets.
- Sept. 17 – Anne's Acres, Lincoln This Benton County operation will showcase its successful u-pick strawberry and blueberry enterprise and discuss direct-to-consumer marketing strategies.
The cost is $10 per workshop, and participation is limited to 20 attendees per session. Pre-registration is required. To register you can click HERE. Farm tours are conducted outdoors so participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions and wear closed-toe shoes and water will be provided.
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