Phil and Lesia Hamaker own Hamaker Farms, a family cattle, poultry and produce operation at Junction City, south of El Dorado. They were the 2015 Southwest District Farm Family of the Year. Their operation consists of four poultry houses, high tunnel produce houses that allow them to extend their season for squash, tomatoes, greens and other produce, and cross-bred angus and charolais cattle. They've also established their own Farmers Market on their produce farm in northern Louisiana that is attracting a number of loyal customers. This is their story.
In only 3 years Taylor Farms in Benton County has produced state-winning full blood buck and doe Boer goats. In the second part of this series we catch up with Lauren and Lexi of Taylor Farms to learn the ins and outs of showing award-winning goats.
Randy Skarda of Hazen has been saving old farm tractors, threshers and combines from decaying in the weeds around his farm for the past 30 years and restoring them for his family and so future generations will know how their ancestors farmed years ago. He and his sons Seth and Ross discussed his "hobby" and gave us a demonstration of a 1948 McCormick-Deering 125 Ricefield Special combine that took seven years for him to get "field ready."
The Farmer Veteran Coalition - Arkansas and Arkansas Department of Agriculture partnered to host a Veterans Day celebration in Searcy today, the first official meeting of the new Arkansas chapter of FVC.
Anna Mathis is a University of Arkansas agriculture communications major. She was recently honored by being named secretary of the National FFA Organization. The Boone County native will serve in that capacity during the next year.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler held a round table event at Terry Dabbs farm in Stuttgart. Wheeler announced a $3.2 million grant for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and toured Dabbs' farm.
Folks often call him "The Pecan Man," and with good reason. Billy Wilchman of Paw Paw's Pecans in Conway County loves sharing his extensive knowledge of these delicious nuts.
In only 3 years Taylor Farms in Benton County has produced state winning full blood buck and doe Boer goats. In this two-part series we are catching up with Samuel, Lauren and Lexi of Taylor Farms on how they raise and show their award-winning goats. Join Jenny Higgs, for part 1, as she interviews Samuel Dewitt on how he preps his goats for show. Stick around and get a sneak peek to part 2!
Zach Hammack has a cow-calf, beef cattle operation near Hampton in Calhoun County. He sells his packaged beef products directly from his farm and is also the vo-ag instructor at Hampton High School. He provided this update on how Covid-19 and the weather have affected his operation this year.
Jim Carroll III of Brinkley will conclude his year as chair of the United Soybean Board next month. It's been a challenging year dealing with Covid-19 and the weather delayed his ability to plant and harvest his crops. He took time recently during his soybean harvest to update us on what it's been like to chair USB during the pandemic and what he's learned from the experience.
