“Number one – it is great to get to see the transition
of the younger generations.”
With the help of FCS Financial, Paul and
Theresa’s son Matthew was able to secure a Young,
Beginning Small Farmer loan. That assistance has
allowed him to purchase land and equipment needed
to help grow his own row crop and cattle operation.
“It’s great to see where Matthew has come from
and know Paul and Theresa and see their work ethic,
the way they take care of the land,” Beth says. “It’s a
delight to work with farmers who take care of what
they have and don’t abuse the land. They run quality
cattle. They take pride in everything they do.”
After earning a civil engineering degree in college,
Matthew worked for the Missouri Department of
Transportation before realizing his heart was still
home on the farm.
Paul and Theresa are thankful Matthew came
back to the farm. They hope to eventually pass the
operation on to him.
Having an extra set of hands has sure helped the
Heidlages the last few months.
Taking a few days off last fall was put on hold
after Theresa was diagnosed in November with stage
3 inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive form
of cancer. She had a mammogram in May 2015, so
the diagnosis caught them all by surprise.
“I have a completely different outlook on life
now,” Theresa says. “I don’t take things for granted.”
She and Paul agree having a warmer winter
helped them manage treatments and farm duties.
Theresa endured an aggressive treatment
regimen, hoping to minimize her time away from
farm duties and keep their routine as normal as
possible.
“I’ve done a lot of praying,” Theresa says.
Steadfast, side-by-side, Paul and Theresa work
the land, cultivated by the relationships they’ve built.
All the while, it’s the diversity of their operation that
fuels their inner fire.
In addition to working on the farm, Theresa is
the bookkeeper for the Pierce City Fire Protection
District. The couple also manages rental property, a
sideline that Paul says works well for them.
“Don’t limit income opportunities to only
agriculture,” Paul concludes.
Growing
wheat
and soybeans helps
Paul
Heidlage
diversify his cattle,
fescue seed and
hay
operation.
Heidlage
farms
several
hundred
acres and rents an
additional 500.
His
philosophy
is to care for the
land as if it were
his own. Land he
hopes to transition
to his son Matthew
someday.
HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2016 11