Moreland Receives Women In Ag Lady Landowner Award
October 5, 2022
Adriana Keeton
Marcia Moreland has been named the Women In Agriculture Lady Landowner recipient for 2022. She was honored on Monday, September 19, at the Women In Agriculture Conference in Branson. Marcia attended the event with her 12-year-old granddaughter who plans to follow in her footsteps. She was nominated by Melissa White, with Stone County SWCD, and Reagan Bluel, with the Barry County MU Extension, for the award.
Moreland is the owner and operator of K&M Ranch, located just outside of Crane in Barry County, where she manages an over 1,000-acre beef farm with her husband, Kelly. She spends most of her days in the hay field, which she refers to as her happy place.
In 2010, at the age of 51, she was a single woman farmer starting over; she listened to her heart and purchased just under 100 acres, which has grown substantially over the last twelve years.
"I started learning about my beef farm, the grasses it was growing and how to improve production so it could support more cattle and be more efficient," Moreland said.
In 2012, she entered a hay contest at the Ozark Empire Fair, and though she came in last place that year, it compelled her to learn more about her hay and how she could grow a nutritious product for her cattle. She credits the University of Missouri (MU) Extension office with helping her do just that.
"I will forever be an advocate of the MU Extension. Eldon Cole, Tim Schnakenberg, Reagan Bluel and many others let me ask all the stupid questions I had," Moreland said.
"I started attending conferences, meetings, farm days, whatever they offered to learn from them and other farmers. I was able to learn from all the available knowledge just sitting out there to be had."
Marcia took another chance at the Ozark Empire Fair in 2019 with an alfalfa field she planted in 2018 and took home the Grand Champion Award for the dry hay division. She was the first woman to win the award.
"Female farmers are growing in number here in Missouri. We now account for 36% of all farmers in the state. We operate over 9.6 million acres in Missouri."
I asked her what advice she would give women who see a future for themselves in agriculture. She said, "Surround yourself with sharp, strong women. We are out there. Ask questions. Raise your hand in those meetings. I can assure you, there is a male farmer wanting to know the answer, but afraid to ask in front of his peers."
Moreland is a member of the Southwest Cattlemen's Association. She is a strong leader and advocate for agriculture and a mentor to anyone seeking it. She serves as a regular judge at 4-H competitions.
Marcia Moreland has been named the Women In Agriculture Lady Landowner recipient for 2022. She was honored on Monday, September 19, at the Women In Agriculture Conference in Branson. Marcia attended the event with her 12-year-old granddaughter who plans to follow in her footsteps. She was nominated by Melissa White, with Stone County SWCD, and Reagan Bluel, with the Barry County MU Extension, for the award.
Moreland is the owner and operator of K&M Ranch, located just outside of Crane in Barry County, where she manages an over 1,000-acre beef farm with her husband, Kelly. She spends most of her days in the hay field, which she refers to as her happy place.
In 2010, at the age of 51, she was a single woman farmer starting over; she listened to her heart and purchased just under 100 acres, which has grown substantially over the last twelve years.
"I started learning about my beef farm, the grasses it was growing and how to improve production so it could support more cattle and be more efficient," Moreland said.
In 2012, she entered a hay contest at the Ozark Empire Fair, and though she came in last place that year, it compelled her to learn more about her hay and how she could grow a nutritious product for her cattle. She credits the University of Missouri (MU) Extension office with helping her do just that.
"I will forever be an advocate of the MU Extension. Eldon Cole, Tim Schnakenberg, Reagan Bluel and many others let me ask all the stupid questions I had," Moreland said.
"I started attending conferences, meetings, farm days, whatever they offered to learn from them and other farmers. I was able to learn from all the available knowledge just sitting out there to be had."
Marcia took another chance at the Ozark Empire Fair in 2019 with an alfalfa field she planted in 2018 and took home the Grand Champion Award for the dry hay division. She was the first woman to win the award.
"Female farmers are growing in number here in Missouri. We now account for 36% of all farmers in the state. We operate over 9.6 million acres in Missouri."
I asked her what advice she would give women who see a future for themselves in agriculture. She said, "Surround yourself with sharp, strong women. We are out there. Ask questions. Raise your hand in those meetings. I can assure you, there is a male farmer wanting to know the answer, but afraid to ask in front of his peers."
Moreland is a member of the Southwest Cattlemen's Association. She is a strong leader and advocate for agriculture and a mentor to anyone seeking it. She serves as a regular judge at 4-H competitions.
