Laura in 1910 This website is dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder, the original Prairie Girl. Laura inspired me to become a Teacher, Mother and Taught me the meaning of adventure and Perseverance.

Newspaper editor, loan officer, poultry farmer

Laura and Almanzo Wilder, 1885

Meanwhile, by 1910, Rocky Ridge Farm was established to the point where Laura and Almanzo returned there to focus their efforts on increasing the farm's productivity and output. The impressive 10 room farmhouse completed in stands as a testament to their labors and determination to carve a comfortable and attractive home from the land. Having learned a hard lesson from focusing solely on wheat farming in South Dakota, the Wilders' Rocky Ridge Farm became a diversified poultry and dairy farm, as well as boasting an abundant apple orchard. Laura, always active in various clubs and an advocate for several regional farm associations, was recognized as an authority in poultry farming and rural living, which led to invitations to speak to groups around the region.

 Following Rose's developing writing career also inspired her to do some writing of her own. An invitation to submit an article to the Missouri Realist in 1911 led to a permanent position as a columnist and editor with that publication — a position she held until the mid 1920's. She also took a paid position with a Farm Loan Association, dispensing small loans to local farmers from her office in the farmhouse. Her column in the Ruralist, "As a Farm Woman Thinks", introduced Mrs. A.J. Wilder to a loyal audience of rural Ozarkian's, who enjoyed her regular columns, which ranged in topic from home and family, World War I, and other world events, to the fascinating world travels of her daughter and her own thoughts on the increasing options being offered to women during this era.

While the Wilders were never wealthy until the Little House series of books began to achieve popularity, the farming operation and Laura's income from writing and the Farm Loan Association provided a stable enough living for the Wilders to finally place themselves in Mansfield middle-class society. Laura's fellow clubwomen were mostly the wives of business owners, doctors and lawyers, and her club activities took up much of the time that Rose was encouraging her to use to develop a writing career for national magazines, as Rose had done. Laura seemed unable or unwilling to make the leap from writing for the Missouri Ruralist to these higher-paying national markets. The few articles she was able to sell to national magazines were heavily edited by Rose and placed solely through Rose's established publishing connections.

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