A Hartford family will be representing Sebastian County in the statewide competition for 2021 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.
Woody and Amanda Hester, along with their two sons, Cogan and Wyatt, were announced countywide winners in May. The family owns and operates a cattle farm in the West Hartford area.
The family-owned farm spans almost over acres. “My dad never wanted to chase cattle,” shared Woody Hester. “But, this is something I always wanted to do.” That determination and passion ultimately led to the Hesters owning and managing 80 head of cattle.
Judges from the Natural Resources Conservation in Paris, and Farm Credit Services were on site on Wednesday morning, June 9. Travis Caudle, NRCS, and Norm Clayborn, Farm Credit Services, were interested in learning about the Hester’s farming operation. Ultimately, winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency, management, family life, and rural/community leadership.
Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program has served as a vehicle to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state. The objectives of the Farm Family of the year program 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. To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Each year the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program recognizes the outstanding farmers and ranchers who make up our state,” said Rich Hillman of Carlisle, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. “These families are involved in essential work, not only providing food for my family and yours, but also serving as the ultimate stewards of the land and water resources. “Congratulations to these farm families. We are proud to honor their work and dedication to Arkansas agriculture, our state’s largest economic sector.”
The Farm Family of the Year program begins each year with the selection of top farm families in each county and culminates in December with the selection of the state Farm Family of the Year, who then go on to represent Arkansas at the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
Sponsors for the program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, and Farm Credit Midsouth. Program partners are the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas FFA Association, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, USDA – Farm Service Agency, USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, and USDA – Rural Development.
