I Am Conservation

Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, an online retailer of shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, and hunting products near Columbia, Missouri, pose on the sporting clays course at the company’s executive conference venue, Midway Farms. The Potterfields grew their business from a small retail firearms store they opened in 1977. In 1988, Larry and Brenda purchased a small recreational farm. Over the years, they’ve built several watershed lakes and are actively involved with timber stand improvement,

habitat development, Share The Harvest, and many other conservation programs. “As MidwayUSA has grown, we’ve been fortunate enough to purchase a few other farms in the surrounding area, all of which are either actively participating in or scheduled to participate in one or more of the many conservation programs the Missouri Department of Conservation has to offer,” said Larry. The Potterfields recognize the importance of conservation in order to preserve and improve wildlife, habitats, and resources for the use and enjoyment of future generations. “We have six grandkids who will grow up with the opportunity to hunt,” said Larry. “We want to do what we can to make sure future generations have the same opportunities we’ve had. Dad taught me to hunt and fish, back when I was growing up on the farm in northeast Missouri. I can’t imagine what my life would be like today, had I not enjoyed the benefit of my experiences in those early years.” —photograph by David Stonner