Glen Cope: Standing on the Shoulders of Generations
By: Bella Baker
In Agri-Ready Designated Barry County, where generations of farm families have helped shape the landscape of southwest Missouri, Glen Cope is carrying on a legacy more than a century in the making. Near Aurora, Glen works alongside his father, son and brother in a cattle operation rooted in family, hard work and stewardship.
Standing on a Century of Legacy
Their operation is primarily a cow-calf farm, but they also background purchased cattle to add value before marketing them to feedlots in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. The farm’s story began in 1910 when Glen’s great-grandparents established the operation. Through the years, additional acres were added by each generation, creating the farm Glen helps manage today.
“Like many people involved in agriculture, we are proud of the legacy our family has been a part of,” Glen said. “We know that we are standing on their shoulders as we reflect on the hard and difficult times they went through to pass down a better life to the next generation.”
The stories passed down through the family have shaped the way Glen views both farming and the future. From the hardships of the Great Depression to the droughts of the 1950s and the farm crisis of the 1980s, each generation faced challenges that tested their resilience.
“The stories that have been shared from generation to generation give us inspiration and a sense of pride as we look toward the future of our farm,” he said.
Meeting Modern Challenges
While farming has never been easy, Glen believes today’s producers face significant challenges. “Input costs over the last few years certainly have outpaced commodity prices,” he explained. “Land values have gotten to a point where it is extremely difficult for young and beginning farmers to start their careers in agriculture, especially when they have to compete with developers.”
Despite those challenges, Glen believes success requires balancing passion with sound business practices.
“Farmers need to remind ourselves that this is not just a lifestyle,it is a business and it must be operated that way,” he said. “Implementing a marketing strategy, knowing what it costs to run our operations, being as efficient as possible, and maintaining profitability are all important in ensuring we are sustaining the business and building equity for the longevity of the operation.”
Agriculture contributes a significant portion of the economic activity of Barry County with over $503 million dollars in value added to the local economy. Agriculture, food, forestry and related industries account for 36% of the jobs available in Barry County.
The Rhythm of Farm Life
The everyday rewards of agriculture that keep Glenmotivated.
“One of the things I love most about agriculture is the seasonality of it all,” Glen said. “Calving season, hay season, feeding that hay in the wintertime only to start the process over again the next year.”
Each season brings new opportunities to learn, improve, and grow.
“Each year brings on new challenges and opportunities and the chance to grow and develop and learn from mistakes of the past years,” he said.
Purpose Beyond Production
For Glen, the greatest reward is working alongside family while producing food for others.
“Ultimately, the privilege to work outside and work with family members every day is something that is truly rewarding,” he said. “We have the ability to do something that only a small percentage of the U.S. population gets to do, and that is provide food to a growing world. That gives us true purpose.”
Glen hopes consumers understand the values that drive the people behind their food.
“The American farmer and rancher is a part of a community and a culture that is unmatched by any other segment of society,” he said. “The work ethic, generosity, willingness to help their neighbors and even strangers in need is just a part of who they are.”
He believes farmers are resilient people who continue to adapt to whatever challenges come their way.
“Farmers are self-reliant and have proven over the decades that they are always ready to meet any challenge whether it be markets or weather conditions to bring something to market to help feed their fellow man,” Glen said. “Farmers are eternal optimists and hope that next year will be better than the last.”
Stewardship for the Next Generation
At the heart of that optimism is a commitment to stewardship. Just as previous generations worked to improve the farm for those who followed, Glen believes today’s farmers have the responsibility to do the same.
“Our desire has always been to leave the land in better shape than when we found it,” he said.
More than 100 years after his great-grandparents started the farm, Glen remains committed to the values that built it.
“Farmers are some of the most patriotic people there are,” Glen said. “I think we are keenly aware of the blessings that we are afforded in this country.”
Glen Cope’s story is a reminder that agriculture is about more than raising livestock. It is about family, stewardship, perseverance, and creating opportunities for future generations. Like those before him, Glen continues to build a legacy that will endure for years to come: one season, one challenge, and one generation at a time.
Leadership has always been an important part of Glen’s agricultural journey. In addition to farming, he serves as chairman of the MFA Oil Board of Directors and participates in several agricultural organizations, including Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, FCS Financial, and MFA, Inc. His involvement reflects a commitment to giving back to an industry that has shaped his family for generations.
