Farm Family county winners named, state winner to be named in December

County winners for the 71st annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected, with the state farm family to be selected among the county winners and announced Dec. 6.

The county winners will be visited by judges to select eight district winners, to be announced June 20. They will be visited again by a different set of judges in July to determine a state winner, which will be announced Dec. 6 at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon in North Little Rock.

“The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program recognizes great farmers and ranchers each year,” Randy Veach, Arkansas Farm Bureau president, said in a statement. “These families are involved in noble and important work to provide food, fiber and shelter to the world. Congratulations to these great farm families. We are pleased to honor their success, stewardship, and commitment to Arkansas agriculture.”

The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program began in 1947. Program objectives are:
• To give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community;
• To gain recognition of the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
• To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.

Arkansas’ Farm Family of the Year will represent the state at the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Arkansas has had two overall winners, Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008 and Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016. All winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency,
management, family life and rural/community leadership.

Sponsors of the Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, and the three Farm Credit agencies that serve Arkansas: AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas and Midsouth Farm Credit. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families.

Following are the county winners by district.
East Central District
Lee – Mark Hurt, Marianna
Lonoke – Isbell Family Farms, England
Monroe – Phllip Ferebee, Brinkley
Prairie – Casey and Leah Beth Skarda, Des Arc
Pulaski – Mike and Kelly Daniels, North Little Rock
St. Francis – Bart Haven, Forrest City
White – Shannon Feather, Higginson
Woodruff – Billy and Nancy Kyle, Augusta

North Central District
Baxter – Vernon and Julie Fowler, Clarkridge
Cleburne – Chris and Lisa Davis, Pailey Defoor Farm, Drasco
Fulton – Lendal and Tammy Erby, Viola
Independence – Aaron Turner, Cord
Izard –Tim Finley, Sidney
Marion – William Blasdel, Flippin
Searcy – Brandon and Katrina McCallister, Marshall
Stone – Olen Wilson, Timbo
Van Buren – Jared and Lacey Standridge

Northeast District
Clay – Mark and Michael Ahrent, Corning
Craighead – Terry and Paula Grimes, Grimes Farm Partnership, Bookland
Crittenden – Michael and Kelly Pouncey, Hughes
Cross – Derek Wood, Cherry Valley
Greene – Newberry Farm, Paragould
Jackson – WKW Partnership, Swifton
Lawrence – Mitch and Geta Bell, Saffell
Mississippi – Russ and Katie Thomason, Sandy Bayou Planting Company, Osceola
Poinsett – Brad and Jason Malone, Bono
Randolph – Redwine Angus Farm, Maynard

Northwest District
Benton – Jeremy Jackson, Gentry
Boone – Carl Campbell, Harrison
Carroll – Kevan and Lynn Flowers, Oak Grove
Crawford – Tim and Beth Owen, Alma
Franklin – David and Sandra Morris, Cecil
Johnson – Michael Barr, Clarksville
Madison – Shannon and Melissa Fancher, Huntsville
Newton – Jake Moenning, Vendor
Sebastian – Lynn Strang, Lavaca
Washington – Jerry and Dyanna Moyer, Lincoln

Southeast District
Arkansas, N. – Jordan and Ashley Maier, Stuttgart
Arkansas, S. – Dean and Tawana Watson, St. Charles
Ashley – Robert B. (Tate) Watt, Crossett
Chicot – Berkemeyer and Sons, Lake Village
Desha – James Dunnahoe, Tillar
Drew – Tony and Letica Adams, Monticello
Jefferson – Joshua J. Euseppi, Altheimer
Lincoln – Steve Scott, Star City
Phillips – Darrin Davis, Lexa

Southwest District
Bradley – Wilson and Spurlock Farms, Hermitage
Calhoun – Josh and Shana Morris, Hampton
Hempstead – Jeff and Jane Collumns, Hope
Lafayette – Mike and Polly Lee, Lewisville
Little River – Cowling Family Farms, Foreman
Miller – Jimmy and Crystal Hewitt, Cherokee Cattle Co., Fouke
Nevada – Todd Brown, Rosston
Union – Gary and Kristi Sewell, El Dorado

Western District
Faulkner – Michael Lee, Conway
Logan – Mark Snow, Subiaco
Montgomery – Wednell Adams, Mount Ida
Perry – Jason and Christy Trantina, Bigelow
Polk – Matt and Jessica Debnar, Mena
Pope – Shawn and Gayla Boxnick, London
Yell – Lewayne and Mary Hold, Danville

West Central District
Clark – Wyndal Minton, Gurdon
Dallas – Lathan and Sandra Erwin, Fordyce
Garland – James Parker, Hot Springs
Grant – Shelby and JoAnn Taylor, Sheridan
Hot Spring – Mike and Jenny Lanier, Malvern
Howard – Randall and Kelly Pugh, Dierks
Saline – Damon Helton, Benton
Sevier – Walter John Marshall, Horatio