Stuckmeyer Farms

Stuckmeyer's Farm Market and Greenhouse located 20 minutes south of bustling St. Louis in Fenton, Missouri is a credit to the heartland about a farm being passed to a fourth generation. There's no question that keeping a farm operation like this going requires a lot of labor. Fortunately, Stuckmeyer's has a built in labor force. Three generations, twenty-one family members pitching in, helping out and two more children are on the way. Without that family help, this probably would not be possible. The matriarch of the family, Jean Stuckmeyer says, "It's hard to explain. It is a very happy close time. I mean you are just so happy when you see all the kids, they all get along and it's just amazing to me. Everybody is always there for one another and everybody works together."

Working together has been a significant reason for the success of this St. Louis farming landmark. The Stuckmeyers and their extended family not only grow and harvest the produce on their two hundred acre farm. But eagerly look forward to meeting the customers who show up for fresh strawberries, lettuce, sweet corn, and more. Another member of the Stuckmeyer family, Janet Leckrone says, "Our older customers they remember that. They remember doing that. That was their life and when they come it brings back good memories to them. They like to see the farm and in the fall when we have pumpkins, the kids come and then they bring their kids and those kids remember when they were little when they were here. So generations just keep coming back."

As you might expect just like farming and ranching anywhere, this isn't a 9 to 5 job. Come planting and harvest the generations pull together. Janet points out, "You need that help. You need that push and that go. And you know, everybody has to be here at six o'clock in the morning to pick strawberries, everybody is here. You just need that drive. And we know it has to be done. So everybody pulls in and does what they need to do."

Those efforts mean the young members of the family as well - the future of this farming operation. When asked whether Erin and Kyle Leckrone will stay on the farm or pursue a different career path in a city, Kyle says, "I think I'll stay on the farm and do work. It's fun and I don't really care for staying inside so much. I like being outside" Do they think it's important to keep this going to keep it in the family? Kyle's sister, Erin adds, "I think it's important to keep it (the farm). It's just kind of family thing and you always see our family everywhere." The future of farming here, as in many other places, will depend on those next generations. Young men and women, for whom a tradition can be continued on the land. Jean says, "Having the whole family work together and be together and it is a good feeling. It really is."