Backbone of America

The beauty of Webster County lies within its green pastures, many forests, rich soil, and numerous waterways rising from the grounds. Its picturesque landscape and small-town values are ultimately what attract visitors, and residents to reside here.

Those same physical features may have attracted the first settlers of Webster County in the 1800s. Most, if not all settlers back then were farmers. Fast forward a hundred years and that’s not the case anymore. As of 2022, there are 1,837 farms registered in Webster County. Although that number seems large, it adds up to only 1.3% of the total U.S. population employed as farmers.

This career is not only critical to the U.S. economy but essential to food production, the manufacture of countless goods, and the preservation of natural landscapes. Nonetheless, farmers across the country are becoming fewer and fewer. The cost alone to operate and upkeep land and equipment should be enough to discourage anyone. In sometimes results in larger agricultural operations or land developers buying up the family farm.

Commonly known as the backbone of America, farmers never waiver, they never falter and many never give up. Inspiringly so, a good deal of today’s farmers in Webster County come from a long lineage that dates back to the 1800s.

Dating back to the Missouri Bicentennial, the University of Missouri Extension Center has recognized those farms and awarded them with the honored title of “Century Farm”. According to the MU Extension website, to earn that title a farm must complete the following:

- The same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years or more as of Dec. 31, 2022.

- The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings and nephews and nieces, including through marriage or adoption.

- The present farm shall consist of no less than 40 acres of the original land and shall make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

An incredible 77 farms in Webster County have stood the test of time and met these requirements. Additionally, 10,073 farms have since been recognized in the state of Missouri, and the number continues to grow each year.

On Aug. 25, the MU Webster County Extension Center celebrated two of the newest Century Farms to earn the honor: the Scott and Alpha Cooper Heckendorn farms.

Kyle Whittaker, a County Engagement Specialist in Agriculture and Environment for MU Extension in Webster County, shared nothing but praise for his farming community.

“I don’t know of any better people than farm people in Webster County. I really don’t. I may be a little biased, but I am telling you, if you just take a slice of America and you pull out rural Webster County– it is the best of the best, the cream of the crop,” Whittaker smiled.

However, Whittaker signifies that dedication, education and the careful planning of farm succession result in celebrated moments like this.

“One of the most challenging things we face in keeping a rural American lifestyle is for the next generation to be able to take over a farm and make a living doing it.”

The Scott Family has risen to the challenge and has been in operation since 1885 after Elijah Alonzo Franklin, the great-grandfather, traded out 80 acres in Iowa for acreage in Webster County. Now, operated by David (Lynn), Donna, Jared, Mary, and their many children, the Scott farm expands over 500 acres and has become one of the largest walnut log exports in the state.

“It is truly an honor to still be able to be a part of something that was done in 1885. It’s wild and crazy when you look back and you’re walking in your ancestor’s footsteps from 100 years ago,” Jared Scott shared.

The Alpha Cooper Heckendorn family also received the honor of Century Farm and funny enough, its current owner has almost exceeded a century. Mary Sue, 99, still resides on the farm which was purchased in 1871 for just $600. The original owner, Alpha Cooper Heckendorn and his family were instrumental in the planning of downtown Seymour and participated in the famed Webster County tomato canning industry. Hoards of children and grandchildren have been raised on the farm, making for numerous lifelong memories.

“We are really honored and amazed to be able to do this.” shared Nancy Chandler, Mary Sue’s daughter.

“It is the perfect farm, the perfect farm to grow up on,” every Heckendorn echoed that evening.

The celebration did not end there.

The Stubers, of Niangua, were selected as the 2022 Webster County Family Farm. Ted, Charity and their four children: Ashton, Ross, David, and Kayla Stuber all live and work on a dairy farm and are extremely active within the farming community.

“This year’s Webster County Family Farm has been very active in agriculture. Their kids are active in many things; dairy, cattle, sports, and countless clubs… and you can always pick out a farm kid. If you just talk with them, you just know,” Whittaker chuckled. “I can’t think of a better accolade for parents and their kids.”

If Webster County is lucky, it will continue to celebrate Century Farms for many years to come. And although only 1.3% of the population continues to live out the tradition, farmers have to be optimists…or they would not be farmers.