Multi-hatted native retires from Cassville USDA Ag Service Center
Above, Russ Neill teaches his youngest granddaughter, Amelia Meusborn, how to feed a cow.
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Above, Russ Neill sits at his office desk at the USDA service center in Cassville.
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November 17, 2021
Ezra DeVore
Purdy native Russ Neill will retire from the USDA Ag Service Center in Cassville after following a convoluted path that first took him away from the small town where he grew up, but brought him back again through providential circumstances. His story is told here through an interview with his wife, Renae Neill.
“Like lots of young men, Russ was ‘done’ with farm life after he graduated high school,” said Renae Neill of her husband.
Growing up on a family dairy farm just north of Purdy, Russ Neill graduated from Purdy High School in 1982 with an involved history in the Purdy FFA chapter. Neill ran a hay crew in his high school years, then enrolled at MSU with aspirations for a Computer Science degree, where he quickly learned computer sciences were not his path.
“So, almost by default,” Renae continued, “he began looking at the Agricultural programs because he had a strong background in that area.”
Neill soon discovered what fit his interests and talents best, and felt comfortable pursuing a degree in the business side of agriculture.
“In the spring of his junior year,” Renae said, “he interviewed with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for a Student Trainee position and was hired at Cassville, at what was then the Farmers Home Administration.
“Russ spent the summer between his junior and senior years learning the basics from Marvin Phipps, the County Supervisor at that time.”
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Agriculture in 1986 from Missouri State University, Neill began work as County Assistant in Marshfield. He spent a decade at the agency, residing near Kansas City, until finally returning to southwest Missouri to work as the County Supervisor in the Bolivar office.
“In 1997,” Renae Neill said, “his career path became more complicated.”
According to his wife, while attending the First Freewill Baptist Church in Purdy, Neill felt called to serve in the ministry and began a new role as a local associate pastor. Neill started doing fill-in work for area churches until early 1998, when he accepted the position of pastor at the First Freewill Baptist Church.
Residing in Ozark at the time, Neill planned to further his career with the USDA in Bolivar. A move to Republic, he thought, would reduce his commute to Bolivar during the week, as well as his drive-time to Purdy for pastoral responsibilities.
Neill received a particular stroke of luck with a telephone call from a representative with the USDA Office in Columbia, asking Neill if he would like to transfer into the Cassville office in anticipation of Martin Phipps’s retirement. Neill accepted gladly.
“Within a few weeks,” Renae said, “[Russ] found himself right back where his journey with the agency began when he was just 20 years old.”
Neill continued to work for the USDA Farm Service Agency for more than three decades. He will retire Thursday, November 18, with 37 years under his belt.
“Russ enjoyed the variety of roles that came along with the job,” Renae Neill said. “Every farm operation is different and, of course, every farm family is unique. The people he worked with in the FSA office became his closest friends and, quite simply, he was happy. God provided a career that allowed him to help others, use his gifts and strengths, and work with people he cared about. Why would he ever leave?
“By obtaining an Ag-Business degree and enjoying a long and fulfilling career with the USDA,” Renae continued, “I think Russ is a great example for young people today who are trying to figure out how to remain connected to their agricultural roots as they plan their futures.”
Now, Neill runs a small cow-calf farm five miles from where he grew up in Purdy and looks forward to continuing his work as a local pastor, farmer, and grandfather to his three grandchildren, Lincoln, Georgia, and Amelia, alongside his wife of 34 years, Renae Neill.
Ezra DeVore
Purdy native Russ Neill will retire from the USDA Ag Service Center in Cassville after following a convoluted path that first took him away from the small town where he grew up, but brought him back again through providential circumstances. His story is told here through an interview with his wife, Renae Neill.
“Like lots of young men, Russ was ‘done’ with farm life after he graduated high school,” said Renae Neill of her husband.
Growing up on a family dairy farm just north of Purdy, Russ Neill graduated from Purdy High School in 1982 with an involved history in the Purdy FFA chapter. Neill ran a hay crew in his high school years, then enrolled at MSU with aspirations for a Computer Science degree, where he quickly learned computer sciences were not his path.
“So, almost by default,” Renae continued, “he began looking at the Agricultural programs because he had a strong background in that area.”
Neill soon discovered what fit his interests and talents best, and felt comfortable pursuing a degree in the business side of agriculture.
“In the spring of his junior year,” Renae said, “he interviewed with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for a Student Trainee position and was hired at Cassville, at what was then the Farmers Home Administration.
“Russ spent the summer between his junior and senior years learning the basics from Marvin Phipps, the County Supervisor at that time.”
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Agriculture in 1986 from Missouri State University, Neill began work as County Assistant in Marshfield. He spent a decade at the agency, residing near Kansas City, until finally returning to southwest Missouri to work as the County Supervisor in the Bolivar office.
“In 1997,” Renae Neill said, “his career path became more complicated.”
According to his wife, while attending the First Freewill Baptist Church in Purdy, Neill felt called to serve in the ministry and began a new role as a local associate pastor. Neill started doing fill-in work for area churches until early 1998, when he accepted the position of pastor at the First Freewill Baptist Church.
Residing in Ozark at the time, Neill planned to further his career with the USDA in Bolivar. A move to Republic, he thought, would reduce his commute to Bolivar during the week, as well as his drive-time to Purdy for pastoral responsibilities.
Neill received a particular stroke of luck with a telephone call from a representative with the USDA Office in Columbia, asking Neill if he would like to transfer into the Cassville office in anticipation of Martin Phipps’s retirement. Neill accepted gladly.
“Within a few weeks,” Renae said, “[Russ] found himself right back where his journey with the agency began when he was just 20 years old.”
Neill continued to work for the USDA Farm Service Agency for more than three decades. He will retire Thursday, November 18, with 37 years under his belt.
“Russ enjoyed the variety of roles that came along with the job,” Renae Neill said. “Every farm operation is different and, of course, every farm family is unique. The people he worked with in the FSA office became his closest friends and, quite simply, he was happy. God provided a career that allowed him to help others, use his gifts and strengths, and work with people he cared about. Why would he ever leave?
“By obtaining an Ag-Business degree and enjoying a long and fulfilling career with the USDA,” Renae continued, “I think Russ is a great example for young people today who are trying to figure out how to remain connected to their agricultural roots as they plan their futures.”
Now, Neill runs a small cow-calf farm five miles from where he grew up in Purdy and looks forward to continuing his work as a local pastor, farmer, and grandfather to his three grandchildren, Lincoln, Georgia, and Amelia, alongside his wife of 34 years, Renae Neill.