PICTURES
In Cattle Country wealth is measured by horsepower, number of acres, head of cattle, miles of fence, and size of outbuildings... and above all, number of friends. But success is measured by degree of character.
CHARACTER BIOS
The hardworking people of Cattle Country
RANCHER:
DICK CAULFIELD
Owner of Caulfield Ranch, Dick Caulfield is the quintessential cowboy. Dick can't help but tell it like it is. Whether he's wise cracking, raising cattle and horses, or ordering around his son-in-law, Will, Dick has been a staple at the Caulfield Ranch since he assumed operation from his father over 25 years ago. A family man, Dick enjoys hunting with his grandchildren.
Check out Dick's horse breeding website Caulfield Ranch Quarter Horses
FARMER:
RON HEERTEN
Ron, the wheeling-dealing, pre-law graduate, comes from a new school of high-tech farmers. Ron employs new methodologies for yeilding greater crops at his ever expanding family-owned operation.
In addition to managing his farm, the civic minded, Ron presides as the president of the local Farmers Ranchers Cooperative.
FEED LOT OWNER:
JIM FERGUSON
Stoic, head-honcho Jim helms the Ferguson & Beattie feed lot. Managing many employees, Jim is passionate and analytical about his work. Whether it is the littlest detail, or an over-arching policy of the industry, he's got his finger on the pulse of agriculture.
Though Jim is an empty-nester, he still keeps involved with the local school board. Jim's wife, Mae, runs an in-home beauty salon.
RANCH HAND:
WILL MILLER
Rugged and striking, ranch hand Will Miller works tirelessly with his father-in-law, Dick, on the Caulfield Ranch. With a great sense of humor and a strong sense of family pride, Will and Dick good-naturedly goad and tease each other, while working hard in fields.
VET TECH:
KIM CHRISTIANSEN
Kim is a young and spirited veterinary technician. She happily works for Jim at the Ferguson Feed Lot. Kim isn't afraid to put her shoulder into the work she does. She represents the sexy side of the cattle industry.
Always vying to learn new information and methods, Kim "can't wait to feed America beef."
RON'S WIFE:
SANDRA HEERTEN
Sandra puts the word "multitasking" to shame. As Ron's wife and a mother of four children, Sandra manages the only local hotel, Hiland House, a unique self-service hotel, unheard of in any metropolitan areas.
Sandra also is a freelance medical transcriptionist, book keeper for the Heerten farms, as well as being active in her local church and community.
METHODIST PASTOR:
MARVIN BAUER
Marvin is a cattleman turned pastor. A true testament to the deep roots of hard work and spirituality in the Midwest, Marvin walks the talk. His cowboy rearing allows him to lend a hand when needed.
VET TECH:
SCOTT ERTHUM
Scott, a savvy, accomplished veterinary technician neighbors with all three families in Cattle Country. As a former teacher, he is a member of the local school board, and holds rural education dear to his heart. Scott is heavily engaged in the latest political issues and newest advancements, especially as they relate to agriculture.
WILL MILLER'S SONS:
REO, SAGE & TATE
These kids spend their entire childhood outdoors. From hunting, to riding, to roping and branding. The young, self-reliant kids of Cattle Country are no city slickers. They hold their own, always pitch in, and perform their chores with gusto.
HEERTEN DAUGHTERS:
EMILY & MORIAH
Sweet and creative, the Heerten girls are connsumate overachievers. Taking a page from their mother's book, they belong to 4-H, various youth groups, and have recieved awards on the state level for their academic and art projects. One look at the local newspaper and you'll see their many accolades prominently featured.