Pleased with the same old grind: Bowman Milling Co., celebrates 150 years

POCAHONTAS

Wilbert Reisenbichler recalls a time when Pocahontas sported a bustling business community.

Fifty years ago, the town had three grocery stores, two blacksmith shops, a cream-buying station, a post office and Bowman Milling Company.

But times have changed for this community of 127 people. Only a few businesses remain, including the mill.

Located on Route C just north of Fruitland, Bowman Milling Co. still is very much a part of Reisenbichler's and Cape Girardeau County's life.

"We've been a quite an asset to the community," said the retired Reisenbichler, 81, who still works at the plant two days each week. "During my years here, I've seen quite a few changes, but I know one thing — this community needs us."

Bowman Milling celebrated its 150th year Saturday. Customers, friends of the company and employees marked the occasion with an invitation-only reception complete with food, memorabilia display and a presentation of gifts to Reisenbichler, who has worked at the plant for 64 years.

A corn meal bag was part of a memorabilia display at Bowman Milling Co. in Pocahontas for its 150th anniversary celebration Saturday.

Founded in 1858, mill employees believe it is the county's oldest business still in operation.

"This business has kept this town together," said Richard Winter, vice-president of the company since 1995. "So much history is inside the walls of these buildings for a business that has meant so much to this community."

Depending on one's outlook, the mill may be older than Pocahontas. Company founder Benjamin Bowman had two mills in Southeast Missouri when he decided in 1858 to start a third plant to produce milled flour.

By 1921, the town's needs changed. Customers required livestock feed instead of flour. Eighty-seven years later, Bowman's nine employees still produce feed. The livestock feed is produced each year for wholesale and retail customers who live as far as 120 miles away from Pocahontas. Its customer base reaches as far north as St. Charles, Mo., and as far south as near the Arkansas state line. Occasional customers from Illinois and Tennessee purchase feed from the business.

"We're still producing what the customer wants decades later," Winter said. "And we'll keep on doing that as long as the demand is there."

Two levels of the mill's original three-story building are still used to produce feed for its customers. Other features of the property include offices, grain tanks and three warehouses that store its feed and other supplies before they are shipped throughout Missouri. The last construction project was in 2003, when a 40-foot by 90-foot commodity shed was added.

The store has expanded its operations. Another store was opened in Advance, Mo., 11 years ago. That location sells mainly lawn and garden plants and pet food.

Other changes have occurred throughout the years.

The company's brand names have changed since it first began shifting its output to producing livestock feed in 1921. Those names included Pan-A-Min, Professional Feeds, Supersweet Feeds and Consolidated Nutrition.

The mill currently sells the ADM Alliance Nutrition brand. The line includes feed for birds, cattle, rodents, swine and cats.

"Our selections are pretty wide in range," Winter said. "Depending on the customers' needs, we'll mix and match the products to their specifications."

Though the mill has renovated and added buildings and revamped its market from flour to livestock feed, Winter said the company will continue to modernize its business approach as it does its best to keep up with the fragile economic climate.

With corn approaching $8 a bushel and wheat near $9, Winter is skeptical of what the future may bring for farmers who provide grains used to make the feed Bowman Milling Co. sells.

"It's hard to say what the future of grain will bring with the way things are going right now, with the rising price of corn and high fuel and the recent floods," Winter said. "I've heard one farmer say it used to be fun to farm but now it's work. Mentally it's more taxing and the risks you have to take are tough for them.

"On top of the fuel and freight charges, corn is double and wheat is triple what it used to be. So far this year it is slowing down because we've hit the peak increases. Last year we had a record year. But with everything being double the price, you can sell less and have less gross amount."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137