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Building a Team
Claflin Farms’ success comes through self-sufficiency and
having the right key players.
By Joann Pipkin
As the Ozarks hills fade in the distance, the four-lane opens to the world of big tractors. Barren land lay
in waiting, though, on this early spring day. Mother Nature’s mark is left by way of standing water and
parked equipment.
Turning west toward the Kansas line, rural Missouri brings with it a sense of calm. Family and farming
go hand in hand on the prairie in southern Vernon County near Sheldon. Here, three generations of
Claflins find success amid a myriad of enterprises, each one a complement to the other.
At the helm, the somewhat soft-spoken Charles Claflin, is quick to credit his “team” for keeping the
ball rolling on this multi-faceted family farm.
the team
Perhaps Charles Claflin’s farming philosophy is best described by words he once read from Warren Buffett.
“Don’t ever invest in something you don’t understand,” Claflin recites. “Don’t get involved in businesses that
are not going to complement your core business.”
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HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2015