The farm of Randy and Cheryl West is in a serene section of the Viney Grove area in Prairie Grove, Ark. The tract was originally purchased by Robert West just before the Civil War and has been in West hands ever since. Randy and Cheryl’s twin daughters were the fifth generation to be raised on the farm.
Randy and Cheryl, high school sweethearts, married with Randy never having worked off the farm and Cheryl for only five years. “We are fortunate in that we get to do what we love,” said Cheryl.
Their 455-acre farm produces between 50,000 and 80,000 square bales annually and houses three Tyson broiler houses updated in 1998 with a capacity for 80,000 chickens. The farm has raised chickens for 50 years, which, according to Randy, has provided a steady, consistent element of the farm’s production. “Diversification has always been our most important risk management tool. Anyone in agriculture lives and dies by what the weather does, so you can’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” said Randy.
One aspect of farming that Randy really enjoyed was raising cattle. Then about four years ago he gave it up because, “it made sense for us to move toward more hay production.” Now they spend six months making hay and six months hauling it. They fertilize with chicken litter and commercially made granular fertilizer to help them produce high quality Bermudagrass hay.
Randy explained the change by saying that hay is always in demand, especially in years when drought has crippled forage production in Oklahoma and Texas. He said he also firmly believed that their misfortune should not create a windfall for him. As a result he prices his hay fairly rather than exorbitantly looking for long term customers rather than one-time desperate buyers.
In addition to working on the farm and maintaining her inviting garden, Cheryl is highly active in the community. She took over her father’s position on the Washington County Fair Board when he passed away in 1997. She said the position keeps her busy all year long. In addition to having been a school board member for 14 years, Cheryl is also Clerk of Session at the First Presbyterian Church in Prairie Grove and on the Arvest Prairie Grove Board, and the Washington County Planning Board.
Randy, on the other hand, is on the Prairie Grove Battlefield Park Advisory Board and collects antique tractors and tools.
“You don’t retire off of a farm, you just work it,” said Randy. Then Cheryl added, “You also expose your children and grandchildren to that lifestyle. You simply don’t retire from what you love.”
“Right now our grandson, Brody, is a big focus in our lives and spending time with him is one of our greatest joys.”
