Released: March 01, 2002

Howard Couple Named Master Farmer, Homemaker

HOWARD, Kan. – Pristine pastures, owned by John and Lois Markley, fill the rolling landscape of the southern Flint Hills in Elk County. The couple spends many evenings walking through the prairie sustained by years of natural forces and managed labor.

"Every time we attempt to go out for a walk, we have to take the loppers along to trim trees," Lois said. "The improved pasture looks so beautiful."

On March 22, the Markleys will be recognized as a Kansas Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker during ceremonies at the Holiday Inn in Manhattan. Friends can make reservations by calling 785-532-5820 by March 8. Tickets, including dinner, cost $20. The banquet begins at 6 p.m.

The Master Farmer-Farm Homemaker program, which is co-sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, annually recognizes six Kansas families. Nominated by the Extension Council in Elk County, the Markleys will become lifetime members in an association that dates to 1927.

John has canceled hunting trips to spend mornings clearing brush: "It works out better for both me and the birds. We have no interest in crops."

The pastures, seeded with fescue, brome and bluestem, have been added to the Markley’s collection since their first purchase in 1968.

"We have been buying land since the 1960s and adding on as opportunities arise by continuing to buy intermittently until 1999," John said. "We have accumulated over 1,000 acres."

Divided into four tracts of ground ranging from 160 to 480 acres, the land became a focus after John’s veterinary career served as their main income for 40 years. He graduated from Kansas State University with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and opened a practice in Howard, Kan.

Due to the need to be close to the clinic, the Markleys settled in Howard by building a ranch style home in 1963. Lois taught and substituted for area schools, before becoming the clinic secretary. Getting out to the farm proved an exercise in time management to make the most of nights and weekends.

"I don’t think there was ever enough time," John said. "There are certain frustrations of knowing what needed to be done, but clients came first. Farming has always been in my blood since I was raised and always loved it."

The Markleys sold the clinic in 1998 to spend more time on the ranch. Changes in the veterinary profession through his career reflected a trend to the shrinking demand for veterinary service for cattle.

"I have worked 40 years to be in the position to build fence and cut brush," John said. "We started the clinic in early 1960s with 95 percent large animal. By retirement, the large animal to small animal ratio nearly equaled out to a 50/50 split."

By 1998, the couple had reduced their cow herd to 40 head which served as a step to semi-retirement. Future plans include scaling back to a 90-day yearling program or renting out pastures for intensive grazing.

Pasture preservation will continue as an ongoing process to build new fences and pick up brush.

"We have been particularly interested in conservation," John said. "We have grazed moderately and participate in prescribed burning, as well as eliminated brush and done everything we can to improve."

The Markleys raised both their children with the values aligned to farming. Lance, assistant advertising manager for Farm Talk, and Sherri Hahn, Kansas coordinator for cystic fibrosis, were involved in the West Elk FFA chapter, Flint Hills Booster 4-H Club, band and rodeo.

In 2000, John was elected district Rotary club governor. He said this near full-time responsibility gave him the opportunity to teach others about native grassland.

"We enjoyed sharing our love of area and being able to tell [club members] about the Flint Hills to encourage visitors," John said. "We were proud to share our area of Kansas, because it is so beautiful. It is only one of three areas like it in the world, compared to the steppes of Russia and the pampas of Argentina."

While John said he expected some opposition from urban clubs relating to his background in the country, he experienced the opposite.

"When presenting to Rotary clubs in the Kansas City areas, I wondered how I would be received since I was from the country," John said. "However, the common basis was there with many Rotarians commenting on how their parents or extended family grew up on the farm."

He said the connections to rural areas are fading as a growing number of urban citizens fail to recognize the importance of production agriculture.

"We must focus on agriculture in America and strive to promote a positive image," John said. "Generations are growing up losing touch with agriculture."

"In many areas, cities are covering land with concrete and spreading so rapidly with city development," Lois said. "Instead, we should try to retain downtown areas to prevent losing more acres."

As a cowboy poet and songwriter with his book "Too Thick to Drink and Too Thin to Plow," John said he feared that the arts were lacking in the rural regions of the state.

"The ordinary person thinks there is no culture out in the country, other than agriculture," John said. "There’s the same percentage with love for the arts in rural areas. Everyone’s equal, small or large."

His advice to others resonates from his veterinary background and the practical experience he has gained from tending the pastures of the Kansas landscape.

"Look at ranching for profit," John said. "Sentimental attitudes can be expensive. Seek help from those who will help, but don’t listen to everyone. Overall, try to put an emphasis on efficiency."

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Lucas Shivers, Communications Assistant
lshivers@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News