USDA programs have helped Chris improve environmental health on his land.

By: Anna Kearney, FSA

Christopher Sumpter Jr. is a fourth-generation farmer from Borden, South Carolina, where he raises Hereford and Black Angus cattle. Chris is continuing his family’s legacy, running a cow-calf operation and working daily in the pastures.

Preserving Natural Resources

Chris participates in programs from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. With the help of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Chris was able to install fencing, pipeline, water wells and troughs to help his livestock operation. Continue reading →

Phil and Dawn Keppler raise registered and commercial Hereford beef cattle on their farm, as well as corn and hay.

By Lynnette Wright, FSA

Phil and Dawn Keppler of SK Herefords in Medina, New York, raise registered and commercial Hereford beef cattle on their farm, as well as corn and hay. Located about halfway between Rochester and Buffalo, their location provides a great opportunity to direct market their beef at farmers markets. Continue reading →

Tommy Turner Jr. had many opportunities after college, but the dream of farming kept drawing him.

By Danny Hoots, FSA

Tommy Turner Jr., is a new farmer who operates near Eudora, Arkansas. Many doors of opportunity opened for Tommy when he graduated college, but it was the dream of farming that called him back home.

Where the Story Begins

Growing up in southeast Arkansas, agriculture has always been a part of Tommy’s life. His father worked for a local farmer and Tommy attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, majoring in agribusiness. As a student, Tommy worked for the university as an assistant plant pathologist, gaining valuable knowledge and experience.

After graduation, he had many job opportunities and offers, but the dream of farming kept drawing him.

“It was something that I just loved to do,” Tommy said. “I told myself my senior year of college if I love what I do, I’ll never work a day of my life.” Continue reading →

Ian and Stesha Campbell established their 6-acre oyster farming operation in 2015. Photo courtesy of Ian and Stesha Campbell.

By Leila Naylor, FSA

Ian and Stesha Campbell are siblings and owners of Mooresfield Oyster Farm located in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Ian starts off every morning commercial fishing, followed by an afternoon of helping his sister tend to their oyster farm.

Learning the Ropes

Ian learned about oyster farming in 2013 by observing his boss growing oysters. After that, Ian was hooked on the idea and decided to open a business of his own, but he needed help running it. That is when he asked Stesha if she was interested in joining him with his new venture.

“At first, I thought my brother was kidding, but soon realized how serious he really was about the idea,” Stesha said. Continue reading →

The Burns Paiute tribe has established itself as an active conservation partner in eastern Oregon

By Kathy Ferge, USDA

One of the state’s smaller tribes, the Burns Paiute tribe has established itself as an active conservation partner in eastern Oregon.

The tribe worked with the Bonneville Power Administration to purchase two off-reservation properties through the Wildlife Mitigation Program. These properties include Logan Valley in Grant County and Jonesboro in Malheur County. They also purchased property in Beech Creek in Grant County working with a traditional mortgage through Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Continue reading →

The Schweizer family, including sons Nick and Cory, manage a diverse farming operation in northwest Missouri.

By Dana Rogge, USDA

Meet the Schweizer family of northwest Missouri. The Friday after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday shopping season, and for the Schweizers, it’s opening day for Christmas tree season on the farm.

Business Evolution

 The Schweizer’s farm has been in continuous operation since the early 1900s. Today, Steve and Becky Schweizer, along with their sons, Cory and Nick and their families, operate a diverse farming operation that includes traditional row-crops of corn and soybeans, as well as apples, peaches, and various other seasonal fruits and vegetables. Continue reading →

Allen and Emmy Widman manage a chicken layer flock and raise several hundred broiler chickens and turkeys.

By Gina Kerzman, USDA

Allen and Emmy Widman, of Palouse Pasture Poultry in Rosalia, Washington, raise annual grain crops, manage a chicken layer flock, and raise several hundred broiler chickens and turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Season to Season

The Widmans built a Washington State Department of Agriculture-licensed processing plant, one of the only plants left in Eastern Washington.

The family raises poultry during the warmer months of the year. Turkeys, which average around 15 pounds each, are available in November and December. This year, they raised over 300 turkeys. Continue reading →

Jarrod and Amy Burris raise about 125,000 tom turkeys each year.

By Kris Vance, USDA

Jarrod and Amy Burris of Loogootee, Indiana. The core of their diversified farming operation is raising the star of most Thanksgiving dinners – turkeys.

Managing Together

Jarrod and Amy are contract turkey producers who raise about 125,000 tom turkeys per year. The turkeys are housed in one of five barns on the property and while the number of birds is substantial the Burris’ have a strong commitment to each of their birds.

For poultry raised indoors, they use temperature-controlled housing with fresh-air ventilation and a cooling system during hot summer months. The houses protect the turkeys from disease, predators, and the elements, and they are given constant access to fresh food and water, enough room to move around, and periods of light and darkness. Continue reading →

Russell and Lora Mullins used a Farm Storage Facility Loan to make improvements the efficiency of their grain handling facilities.

By Lindsey New, Farm Service Agency

Grain producers Russell and Lora Mullins, of Beelick Farms in Eubank, Kentucky, have been in the business over 30 years.

“These days, on top of tough prices and unpredictable weather, we’re up against the cost and availability of employees able and willing to operate our farm equipment, haul grain, and work the long hours through harvest,” said Russell. “So, we had to improve the efficiency of our grain handling to control our costs – and really just to be able to continue to operate with the number of drivers we have available at harvest time.”

Russell and Lora participated in the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) to install a new dump pit, leg (an elevator to lift grain into grain bins) and dryer (to prevent spoilage during storage) to their existing grain storage facility. FSFLs provide low-interest financing for producers to build or upgrade commodity storage facilities. Continue reading →