05/15/2026
This week, we’re proud to feature longtime Missouri Farm Bureau members James and Dorathea Koepke of southeastern Gasconade County.
James grew up on the family farm where they still live today, later purchasing two adjoining farms to expand the operation. Over the years, the Koepkes built a diversified farming operation that included row crops, a 500-head confinement hog finishing building for nearly 20 years, and eventually a strong focus on beef cattle, intensive grazing, and genetics. In 2018, they retired from full-time farming and proudly transitioned the operation to the next generation.
James first joined Farm Bureau in 1964 for insurance on his first car, but over the years they discovered Farm Bureau is about much more than insurance. For the Koepkes, one of the greatest benefits is having a strong voice for agriculture in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. through grassroots policy and advocacy. They believe the membership is an investment in protecting the future of farming and agriculture.
Their commitment to Farm Bureau runs deep. Both James and Dorathea have served as county presidents, and Dorathea also served as secretary and treasurer. Together they served on the State Young Farmer Committee in the 1970s, while Dorathea later served on the State Promotion & Education Committee and the State Policy Development Committee. James currently serves as Chairman of the Third District Political Action Committee and Treasurer of the State PAC.
For the Koepkes, attending Farm Bureau meetings is always time well spent, but the Annual Meeting remains a favorite tradition — watching grassroots policy development in action while reconnecting with friends made through decades of involvement.
And of course, every farm family has a story… one winter snowstorm brought a very memorable surprise when they discovered a cow that had just delivered triplets — an occurrence so rare it happens in roughly 1 out of 100,000 cows! The smallest calf, lovingly named “Wilber,” got a trip into the house to warm up and dry off before being reunited with his mom, who successfully raised all three calves herself.
Thank you, James and Dorathea, for your dedication to agriculture, Farm Bureau, and the future of rural communities. 🚜🐄❤️
