Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Moll, Perryville, MO
Joseph and Celestine Moll, are the owners and operators of Molls Swiss Farm, Perryville, Missouri. As a husband and wife team they have developed an outstanding registered Brown Swiss herd, carried out a productive farm operation emphasizing soil conservation, raised six children and actively participated in community affairs.
Joseph A. Moll was born in 1928 on the farm where he was reared and operates today. Mr. Moll and his wife Celestine were married in 1953 after he returned from service as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. They have six children – four daughters and two sons. Joe has been dairying all his life. He took over the management of his father’s Brown Swiss herd in 1953 and became the owner operator in 1970.
The Molls have a Brown Swiss herd of about 55 cows in milk and some 60 herd of young stock. The herd was been on DHIA for over 40 years and now averages about 15,000 pounds of milk and over 600 pounds of butter fat per cow. The herd has been officially classified several times. Artificial insemination to high plus proven sires and carefully selected young bulls is used regularly.
The Molls were recognized at Southeast Missouri Dairy Day Program in 1980 for having the most improved herd in the area. In 1986 they were recognized for efficient farm management and in 1987 as Distinguished Dairymen by the University of Missouri. In 1974 Joe was named the Outstanding Conservationist by the University.
Through the years the Molls have exhibited cattle at their local Canton Shows and they have consigned cattle regularly to Missouri State Sale. The herd is well recognized as a source of quality cattle. The farm of 202 acres has 170 tillable acres where corn, wheat and alfalfa are produced. Some grain is sold as a cash crop and about 20 steers are fed out each year.
The grown Moll children are all high school graduates and in some cases college graduates. The youngest daughter Alexia is still home with her parents and attends St. Vincent’s High School. Two married daughters live in Texas and one in Perryville. The oldest son Dominic, attended the University of Missouri and is employed by a turkey farm at Radcliff, Iowa, the younger son Joey, attended S.E. MO State University and is assistant manager of M.M.G. Tie Co., St. Louis.
Mr. and Mrs. Moll have long been active in their church and community affairs. Joe has served as President of the Perry County Extension Council, President of the County DHIA and is a member of the state as well as the National Brown Swiss Associations. Mrs. Moll in addition to being a busy home maker, and assisting with the farm and herd operations has been a 4-H Club leader, member of the Perry County Extension Council, the St. Maurus School Board and the St. Ann’s Womens Group. She sews, quilts, likes crafts and bowling to fill out a busy career.