Story: Finally Farming

Finally Farming: John Guerrant reaps the harvest of a lifetime

For over thirty years John Guerrant worked long hours on and off his farm in order to provide for his family – for he did not believe he could earn enough by farming alone. Now retired at 78 from his day jobs, he is finally able to focus on the things he enjoys and cares about most, he family, friends and working the land he grew up on as a boy.

John Guerrant looks over his farmland as he works with his son David to load cattle on his truck for vaccinations on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. David purchased the other half of the land Guerrant works on the family farmstead from John's sister Bonnie.

$John Guerrant looks over his farmland as he works with his son David to load cattle on his truck for vaccinations on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. David purchased the other half of the land Guerrant works on the family farmstead from John\'s sister Bonnie.$ $John Guerrant looks over his farmland as he works with his son David to load cattle on his truck for vaccinations on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. David purchased the other half of the land Guerrant works on the family farmstead from John\'s sister Bonnie.$

John Guerrant climbs down from his Ford tractor after harrowing a field on Monday, April 18, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. In between each field, John must raise and lower the wings of the harrow in order for the tractor to make it through the gates. For over thirty years, Guerrant has worked long hours off the farm in order to provide for his family - for he did not believe he could provide enough by farming alone. Now retired at 78 from his day jobs, Guerrant is finally able to focus on the things he enjoys and cares about most, he family, friends and working the land he grew up on as a boy.

Farmer John Guerrant laughs with his wife Becky after she tended to her garden on April 29, 2011. Becky maintains the home's garden, growing flowers, vegetables and mowing the lawn while John works his chores of feeding the cattle and maintaining the fields.

$Farmer John Guerrant laughs with his wife Becky after she tended to her garden on April 29, 2011. Becky maintains the home\'s garden, growing flowers, vegetables and mowing the lawn while John works his chores of feeding the cattle and maintaining the fields.$ $Farmer John Guerrant laughs with his wife Becky after she tended to her garden on April 29, 2011. Becky maintains the home\'s garden, growing flowers, vegetables and mowing the lawn while John works his chores of feeding the cattle and maintaining the fields.$

John Guerrant waves to a passerby as he drives through rural Fulton on Monday, April 18, 2011. Guerrant has lived in Fulton all of his life except for time in the Navy, working as a manager at a brick plant and later as an insurance agent. After decades of only being a hobby farmer, he has been able to finally retire and devote his life to his land and family.

Farmer John Guerrant checks out old shotguns for sale at an estate auction on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. Much to his wife's protest, he brought home a small rifle.

$Farmer John Guerrant checks out old shotguns for sale at an estate auction on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. Much to his wife\'s protest, he brought home a small rifle.$ $Farmer John Guerrant checks out old shotguns for sale at an estate auction on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. Much to his wife\'s protest, he brought home a small rifle.$

Farmer John Guerrant checks the mail on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. While he and Becky have a computer with dial-up internet access, they rarely use it as they see many of their friends around town and talk with their daughters on the phone.

John Guerrant relaxes in his leather recliner chair while watching the evening news on TV on Monday night as his wife reads the mail on April 25, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. He tries to watch 60 Minutes on CBS every evening after the local TV news, but also enjoys reading the local newspaper, the Fulton Sun.

Farmer John Guerrant walks his dog Copper to her kennel after a day of chores on Friday, April 29, 2011 in Fulton, Missouri. Copper often keeps John company has he works to mend fences and keep the farm in order.