THREE RIVERS AREA — Patrick McGary of Heber Springs said he’s been farming all his life. Now, at age 74, he and his wife, Lavelle, 70, have been named the 2010 Cleburne County Farm Family of the Year.
The McGarys share the honor with their children and grandchildren. Daughter Elizabeth Estes, 46, and her husband, Monte, live in Little Rock. They have two children, Parker Stark, 21, and Anna Grace Estes, 12. Daughter Kathy Lathrop, 44, and her husband, Pete, live in Heber Springs with their daughter, McKensey, 8 1/2. Son Alan McGary, 40, lives in Cleveland, Ohio. He has three children: Spencer, 14, Luke, 11, and Lexi, 9.
Patrick and Lavelle were both raised on farms in Cleburne County.
“We met at town,” Lavelle said, referring to Heber Springs. “We’ve been married for 52 years.”
Patrick graduated from Heber Springs High School, and Lavelle graduated from Westside High School at Greers Ferry.
The McGarys began farming with 40 acres in 1970.
“I had three head of young heifers,” he recalled. “We purchased the next acreage, 150 acres, more or less, in 1975. I bought 11 head of cattle and grew the herd, with exception of bulls.”
The McGarys now farm 226 acres, raising hay and operating a cow/calf operation of 38 cows and 2-year-old heifers. Patrick also has three bulls, 18 replacement heifers, 10 steers and eight calves.
Patrick sells his cattle to individuals and through the local sale barn.
“I also cut the hay I need from my land to feed all of my cows,” he explained.
“In four to five years, I plan on having 75 head of mama cows,” he said. “I’m going to improve more pastures to accommodate this many cows, in addition to my heifers.”
The McGarys have worked to improve their farm over the years.
“When purchased, the land was in poor shape,” he said. “I have built one large barn and one shop and cut timber from the land to build our home.”
In addition to farming, Patrick had his own office equipment repair business and a construction business.
“I did that for 50 years,” he said with a smile. “I built custom homes. I built our own home as well. I retired from that in 1975.”
Lavelle worked outside the home for a number of years. She worked for an abstract company in Little Rock and then in Heber Springs.
“I took off 13 years and had the kids,” she said. “After they were older, I went back into the abstract business, but then got involved in county government, working in the County Clerk and Circuit Clerk offices. Then I became an elected official, serving as treasurer from 1999 to 2006. I’ve always worked with people.”
The McGarys have always been cognizant of protecting the environment and conserving soil, water and energy. They made a trip to New Zealand and Australia in 2001 to observe strip grazing practices. Utilizing the strip grazing method, he uses movable electric fencesso he is able to move his cows every day.
“The cows now have fresh grass every day,” Patrick said. “They also have access to a pond in each strip of pasture, giving them fresh water every day.”
In addition to farming, the McGarys are active in the community. Patrick is in his second term as a justice of the peace on the Cleburne County Quorum Court. He is a member of the Mountain Top Water and Cleburne County Conservation boards of directors, and he served three years on the Pine Snag/Lobo Fire District Board.
Lavelle is a Master Gardener and a member of the Seven Springs Extension Homemakers Club. She was a 4-H leader when their children, who attended Heber Springs schools, were in 4-H.
The McGarys attend Fuller Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in North Little Rock, where Patrick serves as a deacon.
Three Rivers, Pages 129 on 06/27/2010