Arkansas Neighbors

Nestled in the rolling hills of Greenwood, Ark., is the home of Charolais breeders Jim and Reba Bray. The hard work ethic and family morals Mr. Bray learned growing up on a post-depression farmstead have proved to be a blessing to his family. He speaks of the good ole days with fondness. "The dollar went a lot further then, if you could get a dollar. You went to the store once a month, bought your flour and sugar. That was it. Always had a garden, hens and stock." But growth in the Fort Smith/Van Buren, Ark., area has brought many changes to local lifestyles, and the Bray family is making the adjustment. After the Highway 71 bypass changed traffic patterns, and their home burned four years ago, the Brays built a new home farther from the road on a rise that overlooks the creek and their cattle pastures.

Two necessary traits are inherent in every successful Arkansas farmer.  One is the ability to accept change for the better.  The other is knowing when to hold onto something that is uncommonly good.

Balancing a busy medical practice with a beef cattle operation is all in a day’s work for Dr. William Galloway of Russellville, Ark.
A dermatologist in Russellville since he opened his practice in 1976, William has about 25 head of purebred Galloway Belted cattle on his 62-acre farm.

Ralph and Arlene Reid have settled for their retirement years on a 60-acre homestead south of Ozark, Ark., in a town called Paris. Ah, the romance of Paris!

The Morgans have a long history of family and farming in the Ozarks. “Our family moved to Johnson County in 1857. We've been in the Mt. Olive community since 1876. I was raised on a farm and it didn't take me long to realize that if I wanted to keep farming that I would have to have a job to support it,” David Morgan said.

With 160 Angus head and 12 Arabian horses, the Buhrs had to make sure they got the most out of their land

Jane Read and Ron Janus have turned their love of horses and the outdoors into a lifestyle for their entire family

Rural electrification: The farmer's "Best Hired Hand"

Lanny Avey got into raising Boer goats after seeing the demand was strong; he has since perfected the practice

Coming together to make a family farm - despite breed preferences - was key to Frank (left) and Terrell Newberry's success