Greene County Commissioners Celebrate Innovation, Self-Sufficiency, and Community at 10th Annual Agriculture Tour
The 10th Annual Greene County Commissioners Agriculture Tour, held Friday, September 5, 2025, showcased the diversity and creativity of western Greene County’s agricultural community. Traveling through Republic, Bois D’Arc, and Ash Grove, commissioners, elected officials, and community leaders saw firsthand how local farmers and entrepreneurs are strengthening the county through innovation, food access, and education.
Backyard Pantry: The Mounteer Family Homestead
The day began in Republic at the home of Cassi and Bill
Mounteer, whose “Backyard Pantry” is a thriving model of self-sufficiency and
community education. Their 20-by-40-foot garden, 11 raised beds, berry bushes,
bees, rabbits, and chickens all work together in a cycle that feeds their
family and neighbors.
“We are really passionate about sharing self-sufficiency and
showing that it doesn’t take as much as we’ve done here to provide for your
family,” said Bill Mounteer. “You can grow vegetables in your own yard. Even if
you just have an apartment patio, you can put a couple of vegetable plants out
there.”
The Mounteers say each part of their operation supports the
others: bees pollinate the plants and provide honey, rabbits supply manure for
fertilizer along with meat and pets, while chickens contribute eggs, meat, and
weed control. “We started three years ago as a way to share methods of being
self-sufficient and give back to the community,” Bill explained.
Tour group with Randy Little at Missouri Berries
Missouri Berries: Agritourism in Action
Next, tour participants visited Missouri Berries,
where owner Randy Little described how strawberries and blueberries have become
a bridge between farming and community engagement. The U-pick model strengthens
rural economies while inviting families to experience agriculture directly.
Little is best known in the Ozarks as the former owner of
PFI Western Store, home of Bootdaddy. But when he sold his store it was advised
to find a hobby and keep busy.
Berry farming became his hobby. He purchased a 40-acre
U-pick berry-farming operation near Republic and helps tend the rows neatly
lined with 54,000 strawberry plants, 6,000 blueberry plants, and 1,250
blackberry plants.
Little, who has raised cattle for decade, says there was a
learning curve to be successful with cultivating berry crops. He found the
information he needed in videos on Google and through helpful programs through
the University of Missouri Extension and the University of Arkansas.
Jesse and Jessica Thurman with the County Commissioners.
NuVenture Farms: Veterans Leading in Agriculture
On the beautiful backroads near Bois D’ Arc, Mo., Jesse and
Jessica Thurman own and operate NuVenture Farms, where they emphasize humane
care, small-scale pork production, and strong connections to local markets.
The couple spent six years in the military. When Jesse was
deployed as reservist to Poland as part
of Operation Atlantic Resolve for almost all of 2020, he found time to write a
business plan for a family farm. Their story as veterans-turned-farmers
highlights the resilience and adaptability of Greene County producers.
“I believe the hours and days of research Jesse did while on
deployment played a vital role in the success we are seeing today,” Jessica said.
“He knows the numbers and logistics. That’s been a huge win and blessing for
us.”
Pigs for the NuVenture Farms pastured-pork program are
hand-selected from Berkshire breeders across the Midwest. The Thurmans select
and pick up the pigs as feeders, then raise them to a target weight of 300
pounds. For almost four centuries, the most flavorful pork has come from the
Berkshire breed.
“The weather was perfect and it was a great tour! We love
educating on sustainable, pasture raised grazing, and the value we bring to
Greene County and the Bois D' Arc area,” said Jessica.
County Commissioners and Rep Bill Owen with Jasmine LaBlanc cutting the ribbon for the Community Free-dge.
Ash Grove: Roots and Harvest
The tour continued to Ash Grove for two stops centered on
food access and education. At the Ash Grove Pharmacy, Jasmine LaBlanc
and her children joined commissioners for the ribbon cutting of a new Community
Free-dge, part of a University of Missouri Extension grant as part of the
Neighborhood Leadership Academy. The project provides 24/7 access to fresh food
for families in need. Rep Bill Owens and Greene County Commissioners helped
with the ribbon cutting.
Nearby, the Roots & Harvest Community Market—Missouri’s
first “Farm Stop”—offered tour participants a look at how local farmers can
connect directly with consumers year-round. Opened in 2024, the market is
helping build stronger local food systems.
During lunch at Maple Lane, tour participants got to hear about
local farming efforts from Wild Foods by Dyllan, 7C's Winery and Farmer Frank's
Local Goodness.
Tour participants tour the FFA greenhouse.
Ash Grove High School FFA
At Ash Grove High School, students showed off their
greenhouse and welding programs. From cultivating mums to plasma-cutting
projects, the FFA program equips students with skills in both agriculture and
industry while inspiring future leaders.
Patchwork Flower Farm: Ending with Beauty
The tour concluded at Patchwork Flower Farm in
Springfield, where over 30 varieties of daffodils and seasonal blooms
demonstrate the potential of niche crops. Visitors walked among rows of
flowers, learning how the farm has blended entrepreneurship with agritourism.
Strengthening Agricultural Understanding
“The Commissioners do have to make decisions that impact
agriculture in this county, and this annual tour is a chance to educate them on
the changing face of local agriculture,” said David Burton, University of
Missouri Extension community development specialist and organizer of the tour.
“It’s also a chance to give local farmers a voice and an opportunity to
interact with decision-makers.”
Since its beginning in 2017, the Greene County Commissioners
Agriculture Tour has provided more than a day of farm visits—it has created a
platform for dialogue, innovation, and the future of Greene County agriculture.
Written by David L. Burton
MORE INFORMATION
Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.
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