Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Farm Family preps for district visit

David and Linda Barlow and their sons, Justin and Tommy were named the 2006 Nevada County Farm Family of the year by a local committee. The next step in that process is the district visits to determine which of the county farm families will represent the district at the state competition level.

The Farm Family of the Year was established 60 years ago. The program is sponsored by the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Arkansas Press Association and Entergy. Other agencies involved include the state department of Workforce Education, University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Locally, the committee consisted of those involved in farm-related industries and was headed up by Nevada County Farm Extension Agent Rex Dollar.

The district families will be selected by mid-July and a committee designated with the task of selecting the state farm family will conduct visits to district winners during the week of July 24.

Dollar said the competition, even on the district level, is fierce. Nevada County has produced several district winners, though none in the past few years.

The district selection committee looks at several factors - how the resources available are put to use, management practices and rates of production. The committee also considers the family, including community involvement.

Basically, theyll look at the farm itself, but they also look at the family, Dollar said.

The fact that the Barlows have two sons who are both very involved in the farm played into the decision to name them Nevada County Farm Family.

Dollar said the selection committee appreciates the Barlows willingness to participate, and wishes them well during the district visits.

I think theyll represent Nevada County well, Dollar said.

The Barlows have an egg production operation and cattle.