LITTLE ROCK -- Murry and Dee Henderson, of Keiser, have been named the 2024 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, according to a news release from the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
"The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state since 1947," the release said.
The program is sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, with additional program support from the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, the Arkansas Press Association, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, USDA's Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.
Selection criteria for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year include efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement and home and farm management. The Farm Family of the Year program's objective is to recognize farmers excelling at production, education and giving back to their communities.
According to the release, the Hendersons have been farming in Mississippi County for 23 years.
The Henderson's farm spans more than 4,000 acres of cotton, rice and soybeans. As participants in USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program, the Hendersons implemented several conservation practices across the farm, including cover crops, no-till, water conservation technology, and soil moisture sensors.
The Hendersons have two children, Bryce Nelson and Macy Henderson. The family's operation also includes Lepanto Crop Service, an aerial application company serving four counties and more than 50 farmers in the region. Murry Henderson is an active member of the Arkansas Agriculture Aviation Association and the National Agriculture Aviation Association.
"Our family is committed to farming because we know what it means to our family, this community and families who take seats at the dinner table across the world every day," Murry Henderson said in the release. "To be chosen to represent our state as the Farm Family of the Year is an honor we will forever cherish. We're grateful for the opportunity and are proud to represent the state's agriculture industry in this way."
As Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, the Hendersons will compete with nine other state winners in the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program in Moultrie, Ga.
The Hendersons were the Northeast District Farm Family of the Year. Other district winners are:
East Central District -- The Stewart family of Judsonia, in White County.
North Central District -- The Blankenship family of Melbourne, in Izard County.
Northwest District -- The Walker family of Prairie Grove, in Washington County.
Southeast District -- The Day family of Tillar, in Desha County.
Southwest District -- The Bobo family of Hope, in Hempstead County.
West Central District -- The Daniels family of Amity, in Clark County.
Western District -- The Brents family of Jerusalem, in Conway County.