Six Generations: The Taylor Farms Legacy
Embedded Files
Michael Gonzalez
Team Chapnick
Story Summary
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From the Pettis County Courthouse to his 1,700-acre farm, fourth generation farmer Bill Taylor, 64, spends half his days working as the county commissioner and the other half working his land. Taylor Farms is a true family business. Bill runs a crop insurance company with his daughter. His son-in-law’s company supplies seeds for their crops. And his son farms the land. The farm has "been their lives" since Bill and his wife Peggy got married more than 41 years ago, he said.
In January, Bill became the county commissioner in order to fight the Sedalia landfill expansion, which he argues poisons groundwater and will devalue surrounding farmland. Bill said he could sell off his farm and machinery for nearly $20 million but continuing the Taylor Farms legacy means more to him than money.
Bill’s grandson Taylor Shireman, 18, is the sole grandchild interested in carrying on the family’s farm legacy. The high school senior is learning to operate a farm – both physically and financially – as he learns about plants and agriculture construction. “My grandpa and grandma built a legacy behind their name and farm and [I] can’t watch that go down the drain,” Taylor said.
Fourth generation farmer and Pettis County Commissioner Bill Taylor, 64, shucks a corn cob at his 1,700-acre farm on Sept. 27, 2023, in La Monte, Mo. Bill has farmed since he was a boy. “It’s just all I’ve ever wanted to do,” he said.
A spent corn cob sits in a field after being processed through a combine at Bill’s farm. Bill described his farm as a “living, breathing thing.” He leases most of his 1,700 acres and plants corn, soybeans and wheat on about 200 acres.
Bill helps a farm worker remove a part off a combine that burned down last year. Bill described his farm as a “living, breathing thing.” He leases most of his 1,700 acres and plants corn, soybeans and wheat on about 200 acres.
A gilded portrait of Bill and his wife Penny hangs on the wall next to a portrait of their daughter and her family at their home in Sedalia. Taylor Farms is a true family business with the sixth generation now working the land.
Kevin and Lora Shireman stand alongside their son Taylor Shireman at his senior night soccer game. Taylor, 18, is the namesake and sole grandchild interested in carrying on his family’s six-generation, 1,700-acre farm.
Taylor, Bill's grandson, practices welding in his agriculture construction class at La Monte High School. Taylor is Bill’s sole grandchild interested in continuing the Taylor Farms family legacy. “The reason I want to continue the legacy is because my grandpa started with nothing and worked so hard for everything he wanted,” Taylor said.
Toy tractors and farming memorabilia line a shelf at Bill's home office.
Pettis County Treasurer Kim Lyne, Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza and Presiding Commissioner Bill discuss county matters during a commissioner’s court session in Sedalia. Bill spends the first half of his workdays at the county courthouse and the second half working at his farm.
Bill discusses county matters with Western Commissioner Jim Marcum at his office in the county courthouse in Sedalia.
Lucy the farm dog sneaks around a tractor at Taylor Farms. Bill leases most of his 1,700 acres and plants corn, soybeans and wheat on about 200 acres.
Taylor talks with Taylor, his grandson and the heir to the 1,700-acre family farm.
Brian Kratzer, Co-Director
Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director
Hany Hawasly, Technical Director
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