Felts Family Named Drew County Farm Family 2021
May 28th, 2021 by Joe Burgess
Choosing to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello was a decision that would change the trajectory of Jeff Felts’ life, but he didn’t know it at the time. He grew up in the small town of Bassett, Ark. in the Northeast corner of the state and farmed with his grandfather and dad growing up.
“I actually raised cows with my grandfather before I was old enough to help with the row crops,” Felts said, laughing. “Right there on the side of I-55. We actually cut and bailed hay on the interstate.”
He then began helping around the farm before he graduated and made the fateful decision to attend UAM, when he left home he always thought he would stay in Monticello long enough to obtain a degree and then go back home to farm with his brother, who farms in Bassett with Felts’ nephew now.
But that wasn’t in the cards for Felts, instead a chance meeting with Darrell Windham led to Felts becoming part of the family as he and Windham hunted together and Felts worked for Windham’s dad, James. He was also welcomed into the fold by Windham’s mom, Frances. Working and hunting with Windham led to him meeting Mar Miles.
The two began farming together for Miles’ dad and they joined forces to begin farming on their own a year before Felts graduated college. He and Miles farmed together from 1985 until 2019 when Miles left for other endeavors and Felts continued to farm.
In 2005, Felts married his wife, Christine Felts, UAM nursing instructor, who would go on to obtain her doctorate.
Together the two have a daughter, Adalynn, who will graduate from Kindergarten this year and is active in dance, gymnastics, baton and soccer.
The family currently farms 1900 acres of corn, cotton, soybeans, rice and winter wheat.
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 recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
• To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Other Southeast District Winners Are
• Arkansas, North – Kirk and Krista Keller, Stuttgart
• Arkansas, South – Jay and Megan McLain, DeWitt
• Ashley – Kyle Harriman, Hamburg
• Chicot – Joshua and Bailey Lingo Partnership, Lake Village
• Desha – Layne and Ryane Miles, McGehee
• Drew – Jeff and Christine Felts family, Tillar
• Jefferson – S & L Farms, Sheridan
• Lincoln – Joey and Rhonda Ratterree, Star City
• Bradley – Jacob and Jamie Courtney, Warren
• Calhoun – Woody’s Peach Orchard, Hampton
• Columbia – Hugh and Lindsay Bragg,
“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. Arkansas has had two Southeast Farm of the Year winners; Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008 and Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016. All winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency, management, family life and rural/community leadership.
Sponsors of the Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the three Farm Credit agencies that serve Arkansas: AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas and Midsouth Farm Credit. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, 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.
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