Farming with a Physical Disability. It Can Be Done

May 28, 2014

Oprah Show Shares an Inspiring Story about a Farmer Named Chris

It is a fact that farming requires hard physical labour. Accordingly, when you think of a farmer, one could easily assume that in order to farm you can’t have any physical limitations. But one farmer’s story proves that stigma couldn’t be further from the truth.

Recently on Oprah Winfrey’s show, Steep Your Soul, aired a story about a man who was born without arms and legs who farms in California. The segment shares the story of Chris, where he talks about his journey of perseverance from a young age. Chris attributes much of his success to his family, particularly his grandmother and father, who taught him independence and the value of hard work.

The network follows Chris while he does his regular farm chores - forking hay, feeding the livestock and even driving a tractor. His story will make you think twice about what it takes to be a farmer. Chris’ passion for farming has no boundaries. His zest for life will inspire you.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.