June 2024
2024 Farm Family Salute 15
“ We just have more time one-on-one to teach and love each of our kids,” Tom said.“ This career and lifestyle naturally facilitates teaching opportunities every day, both spiritually and temporally.”“ The kids learn at a young age responsibility,” Neeley added.“ If you don’ t go feed the animals, you don’ t prosper. It’ s so special to see the life cycle, teach the kids the sacredness of life and just grow closer to each other by doing something we all love.”
“ We have so many experiences praying over the cattle and land, we cherish those times in the fields,” Tom said.“ To us, this is the best way to grow faith within our kids, it’ s just natural and easy to recognize God’ s handiwork all around the farm life. There are many variables in agriculture that are out of our control, no matter the advancements in the industry. Faith keeps things going when everything else seems to fail.”
Even at their young ages, the girls are pitching in doing chores on the farm. Vivian helps with milking and gathering eggs every day, as well as working the cattle. She even administers the medicine during calving.
“ Our twins, Ida and Iris, help by keeping us on our toes,” Neeley said.“ There isn’ t really anything we do that we don’ t include the girls in. If we are putting up hay, they’ re there riding in the buddy seat. If we are moving cows, they’ re either on their backs in the carriers or on a pony. If we are milking the Jerseys, they’ re by our sides. If we are working cows, they are in the carriers or sitting somewhere out of the way, but still involved. They are learning tolerance on the long days, the great feeling of satisfaction after accomplishing something. But most importantly, they enhance their faith when they witness God’ s wonder and miracles daily.” Regarding the technological advancements that have changed farming over the past decades, the Butlers acknowledge that technology has helped them out. They track performance on every cow through technology, and while their love for farming and ranching hasn’ t changed, the way we keep record and track data sure has.
We are proud to be a farm partner with the Carroll County Farm Family of the Year- Tom and Neely Butler
You exemplify the spirit of the American Farmer and your contributions to Arkansas Agriculture is appreciated in Northwest Arkansas.
Find a Powell location near you at www. powellfeedstores. com