HOWELL COUNTY, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) visited Long Farms in Howell County last week, touring the operation and meeting with Jake and Brittney Long to see the farm behind their online platform Faithful Farming and hear how they’re building something to hand down to their sons.

Congressman Smith said, “Jake and his family have carried on a legacy of raising livestock on this farm since right after the Great Depression, and that’s the kind of dedication that makes our district’s agriculture community so special. Jake’s commitment to his community runs just as deep, serving as both superintendent of Howell Valley Schools and a pastor. On top of that, I love how he and Brittney use their online platform to share their faith and their family’s way of life with folks well beyond Howell County.

“Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, which I authored, farms like this one can count on permanent 100 percent immediate expensing and a permanent small business deduction. Those provisions will help this operation invest and grow so it can one day be handed down to their boys, Henry and Jack. I’ll keep fighting to make sure Missouri farm families have what they need to keep this way of life going.”

Faithful Farming is a commercial cattle operation in Howell County that Jake’s family has run since shortly after the Great Depression. Jake’s father operated the farm as a dairy for 35 years before Jake returned home from college and the family transitioned to commercial beef cattle, now running about 175 mama cows. Jake and Brittney started Faithful Farming as a social media platform to document the family’s faith and farming way of life for their sons, Henry and Jack.

During the visit, the Longs and Congressman Smith discussed the growing threats that New World Screwworm and Theileria pose to cattle producers across the district. Congressman Smith continues to push USDA for the resources needed to combat both diseases, including funding for sterile fly production and expanded research into Theileria treatments.

The Working Families Tax Cuts, which Congressman Smith authored, made permanent 100 percent immediate expensing and a permanent small business deduction, giving producers like the Longs the tools to invest in their operation, grow their herd, and stay profitable for generations to come.