I spent a year in Springfield, MO...and 6 months before that in Maryville, MO farther north by the Iowa border...I know that ground around there is nothing but chert (spelling) rock...and hard packed dirt...not easy digging for sure....A lot of history happed in your neck of the woods...There is much to find out there...Jesse James roamed that area a LOT....Folks I knew hunted for gold, silver, arrow heads and Indian artifacts, and even diamonds across the border in Arkansas...Much to do for treasure hunting out there...Looking forward to your finds posts.
I used to lay sod out there...As your probably well aware, when new houses are built, they often require sprinkler systems and sodding...I did both.
I really felt sorry for the Farmers...it takes mucho dinero to start a crop out there...I spent some time hauling rocks out of fields for farmers...That is one tough job...sore muscles and sun burn...
HH,
BH-LandStar