Faces of Farming

For more than five decades, Keith Parrish has been a familiar face for customers of MFA Agri Services in La Belle, Mo. The counter salesman has tried to retire—twice—only to be coaxed into working just a little while longer. He’s currently working three days a week, but Parrish says he might just hang up his MFA hat for good after this year’s busy fall season, giving him and his wife of 53 years, Sharon, more time to spoil their 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and the two more on the way.

“I’m starting to like having a little time off,” he said.

Parrish was only 22 when he began his MFA career in September 1974, and he’s held many positions through the years, thanks to his versatility and dependability. “Back then,” he said, “You had to learn it all.” 

He’s managed the seed warehouse, fertilizer plant and feed mill. He’s driven tenders and feed trucks, and finally settled into his role in counter sales—which he says is his favorite place to be.

“I love visiting with all the farmers when they come in,” Parrish said. “There aren’t many people who walk through the door that I don’t know.”

Today’s Farmer caught up with Parrish after his 50th anniversary with the company was celebrated earlier this year at a retirement party, where he was gifted a custom MFA Henry rifle in gratitude for his long tenure.

What’s kept you here for almost 51 years now? 

“I love visiting with all the farmers when they come in,” Parrish said. “There aren’t many people who walk through the door that I don’t know.”

I’m not sure how to answer that. It’s like any job. There are things you like and things you don’t like. But I guess I must enjoy it because I’m still here. We’ve had some good employees working here over the years, too. You couldn’t ask for better employees than we’ve had, and that makes the job enjoyable. I’ve just always loved being here and helping serve our farmers in whatever way I can.

How have you seen MFA and agriculture evolve in that time?

There have been a lot of changes in MFA over the years. One of the big things right now is dealing with younger generations and bigger farmers. Back when I started, most of the farmers averaged maybe 500 acres. They all had a few hogs and cattle along with their crops. Now, they’re farming in the thousands of acres. You have to serve those type of farmers differently. We’re dealing with a lot more rules and regulations these days, too, whether it’s grinding feed, spraying chemicals or applying anhydrous. It’s just getting more strict all the time. Technology has also changed, and it’s still changing. You see drones being used more as well as all the precision ag equipment. The sprayers are so much more high-tech than they used to be. And you’ve got things like MFA Connect now that our more computer-savvy customers like to use. But we still have people walking through the door who want to talk to someone face to face. I think it’s good that MFA has ways to work with farmers however they want to be served.

What do you think makes MFA stand out from competitors? 

They’ve always had good customer service, and always tried to be honest with the farmer. It makes me feel good to work for a company like that. You can’t promise a customer one thing and then six months later don’t hold up to that promise. Do what you say you’re going to do, get back to them with the answers they need, and most of the time they’ll be satisfied and keep giving you their business. As for me, I’ll always try to answer what I can for them. If I don’t know, I will find out from somebody. That’s how to keep customers happy. 

What advice would you give to newer MFA employees? 

MFA has been a great place to work. I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t. There’s an opportunity here for you, if you want it. Stay open-minded and be willing to try something new. There are plenty of things for them to learn to do, like learning to run the sprayer or fertilizer spreader, that can make you more money or move you up in your career. But the best thing I could say is to do whatever job they’re doing to the best of their ability. Prove yourself to be dependable. Never say, “That’s not my job.” Just do what needs to be done—preferably before you’re asked to do it. And never forget who you’re working for—the farmers.    

Image cutline: This September, Keith Parrish will celebrate 51 years with MFA Agri Services in La Belle, Mo. He says his current role—counter sales—has been his favorite because it allows him to interact daily with MFA customers. Photo by Allison Jenkins.

Check out more stories in the August/September Today's Farmer Magazine.