LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program announces its 2026 County Farm Families of the Year. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state since 1947. 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 recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
• To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Arkansas Farm Family of the Year selection criteria includes efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement, and home and farm management. The program is open to all counties and is voluntary. Participation varies, explaining why not all counties have a recipient.
The 2026 county Farm Families of the Year in southwest Arkansas:
• Nevada County – Cole and Jamie Hillery, Prescott
• Hempstead County – Aaron and Jessica Huett, Hope
• Howard County – Mickey and Candie Ford, Umpire
• Little River County – Rickey and Tanya Fawcett, Winthrop
• Sevier County – Phillip and Kristy Frachiseur, Gillham
(There was not a nominee in Lafayette County.)
Judges will visit farms to determine eight District Farm Families of the Year, which will be announced June 9. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year will be announced in December at a luncheon and will represent Arkansas at the Southeastern Expo Farmer of the Year event in Georgia. Three Arkansas families have won Southeast Farmer of the Year, Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008, Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016 and the Cobb, Lyerly and Owen Family/Partnership of Craighead County in 2023.
Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support is provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, 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 160,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.