LITTLE ROCK – The eight district winners in the 69th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected, representing the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry. The district winners will now be judged to determine a state winner to be announced Dec. 8 at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock.

The district winners are:

• Chris and Nesha Smith of Searcy (White County) in the East Central District. The Smiths raise Braunvieh and Angus cattle and grow Bermuda and Tifton 44 hay on 2,386 acres. They have one daughter, Jalyn. 

• Fred and Dorothy Sue Denison of Batesville (Independence County) in the North Central District. The Denisons have a cow-calf operation and grow hay on 460 acres. They have two children, Fred Denison Jr. and Bobby Denison, and three grandchildren, Katie, Adam and Kori. 

• Stacy Family Farms of Wynne (Cross County) in the Northeast District. Bob and Annette, alongside their children, farm soybeans and rice on 2,200 acres. Bob and Annette have three children, Jake, Sam and Jessica, and four grandchildren, John, Caroline, Audrey and Henry. 

• Peach Pickin’ Paradise of Clarksville (Johnson County) in the Northwest District. Mark and Shay Morgan raise beef cattle and grow peaches, nectarines and hay on 423 acres. They have one daughter, Kate. 

• Jim and Dina Hubbard of Marvell (Phillips County) in the Southeast District. Jim and Dina farm rice, soybeans, corn and wheat on 2,850 acres. They also have a seed business where they sell certified rice and soybeans. Jim and Dina have one daughter, Brittany.

• Stephen and April Allen of Lewisville (Lafayette County) in the Southwest District. The Allens raise poultry, cattle, timber, wheat and hay on 660 acres. They also own a lawn care business and construction business. They have three children, Geordan, Josiah and Garrett.

• Joe and Jill Brinkley of Grannis (Polk County) in the Western District. The Brinkleys raise broilers, cattle and hay on 645 acres. Additionally, they have a land-clearing and poultry litter service. They have three children, Carrie, Brent and J.D. 

• Joel and Amanda Whisenhunt of Nashville (Howard County) in the West Central District. The Whisenhunts raise poultry, cattle and hay on 368 acres. They also raise and train purebred Border Collies for working cattle. They have three children, Hayden, Lauren and Caleb. 

“What a great reflection on the bounty of Arkansas agriculture,” said Randy Veach of Manila, president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau. “This program is a fantastic way to shine a spotlight on the great farm families that are far-too-often overlooked.

“No other business sector has a larger economic impact in Arkansas. The men and women of agriculture, and their families, work diligently every day to maintain a business and a lifestyle that represents the very best our state has to offer.” 

The Farm Family of the Year program begins each year with selection of top farm families in each county and culminates with the selection of the state Farm Family of the Year who will then go on to represent Arkansas at the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. All winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency, management, family life and rural/community leadership.

“These families are the backbone of our state and we are honored to recognize them for their excellence not only in farming, but also in their community,” said Mollie Dykes, coordinator of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program. “It’s important for us all to stop and thank these farmers and ranchers who ensure we have food on our tables and clothes on our backs.” 

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 throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.