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Delegate Profile

A man in sunglasses and a blue cap stands outdoors, smiling in front of a yellow Caterpillar bulldozer. The ground is covered in patches of snow, and hes wearing a blue jacket.

Connected to the Co-op

Since the day Lester Rufenacht first got his hands in the dirt on his family’s farm in southern Henry County, Mo., he’s found himself drawn to working the land. “I guess it’s in my blood at this point,” Lester says with a laugh. With the exception of a two-year deployment […]

Dual Day Jobs

When it came to picking a profession, Joe Kleeman of Braymer couldn’t settle on just one. “I always had a love for veterinary medicine but also for farming in general — from livestock to row crops,” he says. “So, I did both.” A half-century ago, Joe hung out his shingle […]

Mart Thaxton (center) completed his 42nd harvest this fall. He farms with his sons, Clayton (left) and Keaton (right), near Carlisle, Ark., where they raise corn, soybeans and rice. Photo by Sara Reeves.

Learning Along the Way

In October, MFA Oil delegate Mart Thaxton wrapped up his 42nd harvest on his farm in central Arkansas. Not bad for a guy who began his farming career without any agricultural experience. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I got out of school and jumped in without […]

A man in a blue plaid shirt stands smiling beside a green tractor under a clear blue sky.

All-in on Agriculture

Whether it’s running his 500-acre farm outside Alma, Mo., conducting business as a seedsman or volunteering his time in the service of various farmer-led organizations, agriculture is an ever-present aspect of David Lueck’s life. In late June, the Lafayette County farmer and MFA Oil delegate was busy cutting hay for […]

All in the Family Farm

It’s not uncommon for Jay Collins to put in 13-hour days on his diversified farm in Lentner, Mo. There’s so much to be done—raising row crops, running a cow/calf operation and managing contracted swine facilities—that it takes a full family effort to keep the operation going on a daily basis. […]