New Hatchery Manager At Roaring River
May 18, 2022
Ezra DeVore
Brad Farwell is the new manager of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Roaring River Fish Hatchery, earning the title after the previous manager, Paul Spurgeon, retired from the position earlier this year after 11 years at the park. Farwell grew up in Eagle Rock, and graduated from Cassville High School.
Farwell’s father, Marvin, worked in the hatchery for 32 years, stocking fish from 4 p.m. to midnight; though Brad has quite the notable history at Roaring River himself. Alongside many families who count Roaring River State Park as one of the great memory-makers with their children, grandchildren, and even beyond, Farwell spent time at the park not only as a tourist or visitor, but as a part-time and later full-time employee.
“I started working at the hatchery when I was 15, in high school, through college. This is really the only career job I’ve ever had, working in fish hatcheries,” states Farwell. “Summertime I was always here, [in the] school year I was always here.” Farwell continued his part-time employment at Roaring River through his completion of college at College of the Ozarks and Mississippi State University. Upon graduating from college, Farwell took on employment at MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery as a resource assistant and resource technician. Brad became the assistant manager at the hatchery in 2011, and his father Marvin retired just a few short months later. “Everybody always comments on that,” Farwell laughed, “about him working here and me working here after him, carrying on the tradition. I’m having a son in June, so who knows, he could be the next fish hatchery guy. He’ll definitely be here a lot, I’m sure.”
Farwell enjoys “providing the product to the public, providing this to people who wouldn’t have it otherwise - like a 12.5” fish. Everybody’s got smiles, everybody’s happy, so it’s good.” In his new position, Farwell has begun the task of managing a hatchery operation responsible for producing an annual amount of approximately 600,000 trout.
However, to Farwell, it’s the relationships and people that matter most. “Growing up in this area and having the connection with the community, having those relationships, that’s what’s important,” he states. “I’m looking forward to the longevity of the position - to be in the community for that long. The previous manager (Spurgeon) was here for 11 years, the one before him was here for 19. So, it’s a job you get, and you stay in for quite awhile, it’s really a fantastic gig.”
Farwell and his wife Courtney have been married 11 years, and are expecting a baby boy in June.
Ezra DeVore
Brad Farwell is the new manager of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Roaring River Fish Hatchery, earning the title after the previous manager, Paul Spurgeon, retired from the position earlier this year after 11 years at the park. Farwell grew up in Eagle Rock, and graduated from Cassville High School.
Farwell’s father, Marvin, worked in the hatchery for 32 years, stocking fish from 4 p.m. to midnight; though Brad has quite the notable history at Roaring River himself. Alongside many families who count Roaring River State Park as one of the great memory-makers with their children, grandchildren, and even beyond, Farwell spent time at the park not only as a tourist or visitor, but as a part-time and later full-time employee.
“I started working at the hatchery when I was 15, in high school, through college. This is really the only career job I’ve ever had, working in fish hatcheries,” states Farwell. “Summertime I was always here, [in the] school year I was always here.” Farwell continued his part-time employment at Roaring River through his completion of college at College of the Ozarks and Mississippi State University. Upon graduating from college, Farwell took on employment at MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery as a resource assistant and resource technician. Brad became the assistant manager at the hatchery in 2011, and his father Marvin retired just a few short months later. “Everybody always comments on that,” Farwell laughed, “about him working here and me working here after him, carrying on the tradition. I’m having a son in June, so who knows, he could be the next fish hatchery guy. He’ll definitely be here a lot, I’m sure.”
Farwell enjoys “providing the product to the public, providing this to people who wouldn’t have it otherwise - like a 12.5” fish. Everybody’s got smiles, everybody’s happy, so it’s good.” In his new position, Farwell has begun the task of managing a hatchery operation responsible for producing an annual amount of approximately 600,000 trout.
However, to Farwell, it’s the relationships and people that matter most. “Growing up in this area and having the connection with the community, having those relationships, that’s what’s important,” he states. “I’m looking forward to the longevity of the position - to be in the community for that long. The previous manager (Spurgeon) was here for 11 years, the one before him was here for 19. So, it’s a job you get, and you stay in for quite awhile, it’s really a fantastic gig.”
Farwell and his wife Courtney have been married 11 years, and are expecting a baby boy in June.