column & photos by Ashley Miller

I currently live outside of St. Louis County in Missouri and keep Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. I grew up, though, in a small town in Missouri. We lived within the city limits, but most of my friends lived in the country. I spent most of my weekends as a youth at my best friend’s family farm where we would play, swim, ride four-wheelers and complete her chores together.

I was always in love with the idea of farming, and I adored all the animals my friend’s family had. Our adventures with the cattle, sheep and chickens were the highlight of my childhood memories.