Deep Roots, Strong Ties
February 16, 2025
Written By Adam Buckallew
An antique MFA Oil gas pump stands on John A. Busch’s Washington, Mo., farm, with its freshly polished handle gleaming in the sun. This vintage pump, believed to be close to 85 years old, has been a constant presence on the property dispensing nothing but MFA Oil fuel since before John acquired the farm in 1994 from his father. Soon, the restored pump will take its place in front of John’s new equipment shop, a symbol of his family’s enduring connection to the cooperative that began with his father and continues through John’s three decades of service as an MFA Oil delegate.
Born and raised in the same farmhouse he calls home today, John has witnessed the evolution of agriculture and fuel services firsthand. His family’s roots run deep on this land, stretching back to the early 1930s when his father purchased the farm then raised seven children on it. The strong roots have helped the farm grow into the thriving operation it is today.
The farm has evolved over the years, mirroring the broader changes seen in American agriculture. The Busch farm included dairy cows until a turning point in 1972. A fire consumed their dairy barn and feed silo, forcing the family to reevaluate how to focus time and resources.
After the fire, John steered the farm in a new direction, expanding row crop production instead of rebuilding the dairy. Today, corn, soybeans and wheat grow across the Busch acreage, complemented by an extensive hay operation. The family produced 17,000 square bales for sale last year, along with 400 round bales used to sustain their herd of 80 Gelbvieh-Angus cattle. The operation has grown to include selling Gelbvieh bulls, heifers, steers and hogs to other farmers and markets, adding another dimension to their agricultural enterprise.
John’s commitment to farming has always been a family affair. He and his wife, Marie, partners in life and farming for over 60 years, raised 10 children—six sons and four daughters. “Every one of them learned the value of hard work right here on this land,” John says with pride. “We didn’t have time for a lot of extracurricular activities. We had a farm to run.”
That dedication to agriculture has filtered down through the generations. Today, two of John’s sons work alongside him on the farm, while others have carved out their own niches in the agricultural industry—from cattle breeding to farm supply management and conservation services. The family’s MFA Oil connection also continues through his oldest son, John Jr., who has worked for 35 years as a propane driver and is the longest-tenured employee at the Union, Mo., bulk plant.
“Quality and reliability—that’s what keeps us buying from MFA Oil,” John explains, referencing his fleet of farm equipment that depends on the cooperative’s products. “We’ve always bought our fuel, motor oil and hydraulic oil from the co-op, and we’ve seen nothing but good results.”
Beyond farming and his delegate role with MFA Oil, John’s commitment to service extends to St. John the Baptist Gildehaus Catholic Church in Villa Ridge, Mo., where his leadership on the Parish Council has spanned the tenure of at least 10 different priests. This dedication to his faith community reflects the same persistent commitment he’s shown to both his cooperative and farming—values that have guided the Busch family for generations.
As John stands beside the restored MFA Oil pump, now a bridge between past and present, he reflects on the legacy he’s helping preserve. In an era of rapid change, the Busch farm is a testament to the enduring power of family, tradition and cooperative principles—values as strongly rooted as the crops the Buschs tend and the relationships they’ve built over nine decades of farming.