Last week I had the opportunity to make a quick trip back to Arkansas to see family and friends. It was my first visit since Christmas and it seems like 5 days flew by entirely too fast. With every trip home growing farther apart these days, I always have a brief list of things that must be accomplished:

  • Visiting with immediate family and grandparents that live in town
  • Enjoy some good homemade meals
  • Spend time working with my dad around the farm and auction barn
Always nice to see some views like this of our bayou bottom pastures
Always nice to see some views like this of our bayou bottom pastures

This trip included every one of those aspects. My family, grandparents, and a few cousins came over to the house for a great meal where my dad grilled burgers and we had all the fixings. My parents made sure I had a few more fulfilling meals through the rest of the week as well.

My family's cattle auction is packed most Tuesday afternoons with farmers looking to increase their herd numbers
My family’s cattle auction is packed most Tuesday afternoons with farmers looking to increase their herd numbers

I had the opportunity to go to work with my dad for a few days. Our cattle auction is on Tuesdays, so most of our work usually surrounds that to-do list. This usually includes hauling in cattle for farmers who are selling a calf crop or entire herd that week, along with feeding some of the stocker cows and calves we keep around.

My dad hires out cattle haulers when we have large groups of cattle to move
My dad hires out cattle haulers when we have large groups of cattle to move

For this visit, we had to make a trip to Northeast Arkansas to haul cattle for a farmer who was selling out his entire herd. A few years of drought, combined with high input costs, and appealing auction prices have made this sort of trip a common occurrence.

What made this hauling trip a little different was that we were headed to Goobertown. Most folks may think I’m pulling your leg, but no, really. There is a town just outside of Jonesboro called Goobertown. Travelers even make it a regular stop to pick up the infamous t-shirts.

Yes. it's a real place
Yes. Goobertown is a real place

What must-haves are on your list for every trip home?

Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.