PRESCOTT – Leslie and Debbie Bullock are the 2021 Nevada County Farm Family of the Year.
The couple owns 820 acres of land, starting with 50 their first year of farming when they rented 200 acres. Over the years, they’ve purchased more land and increased their farming operations, which includes four poultry houses, used for raising broilers for Tysons, cattle, timber and hay, though the hay is for their own use. The cattle are sold either by private treaty or at the Hope sale barn. The timber is contracted out by the ton.
They have three sons, Josh, 38, Toby, 36, and Aaron, 34. Their children live in Atkins, El Dorado and Bryant. They have 13 grandchildren who enjoy coming to the farm, helping feed the cows or set up the poultry houses for the next flock of birds. Two of the boys return home to get in some hunting, which can literally be done from a side yard across a pasture from the house.
Their goals are to improve the quality of their cattle herds, grass and hay quality, as well as making improvements to the fish and wildlife areas on the farm. One of their top goals is to build a new barn for working cattle in all weather conditions, and there’s always the need for more fencing. They plan to set up an area on their ranch where they can automatically feed their cattle, shifting them from different fields, throughout the year.
So far, the chicken operation has helped with the improvement of meadows and pastures. Farm Credit and its staff has helped with the expansion.
When asked about the problems they face, Leslie said not all of them have been corrected, but that’s just part of farming life. “Each day brings its own challenges.”
The Bullocks have cleared a number of places on the farm to make room for more cattle and hay meadows, but it’s something that has to be done to maximize operations.
They got started with a small herd of Black Angus cows and improved on them over time. In 2012 they build broiler houses which allowed them to branch out and improve the herd, pastures and overall life on the farm.
The Bullocks aren’t involved with any groups or organizations as working the farm keeps them plenty busy. They do enjoy spending time with the Nevada County Cattlemen’s Association and Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and attend Central Baptist Church.
They also have no plans to slow down. During the visit, Leslie talked about future plans to expand the farm and build a new home for them.