Delta Ag Journal Vol. 2 No. 2 | April 2019

Delta Ag Journal The Farm Lifestyle Magazine of the Mississippi Delta

MS PROPERTY TAX ALLIANCE

DeWitt Auction Brittney Turner

Delta Pilots Awarded

MACA

Volume 2 • Number 2 • APRIL 2019

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Contents

features 36 MISSISSIPPI PROPERTY TAX ALLIANCE

Non-profit Groups Seek to Slow Tax Value Increases

40 DEWITT AUCTION

A Valuable Resource for Equipment Needs

46 YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS ASSOCIATION

The Future of Agriculture

50 BRITTNEY TURNER

Seeing Agriculture with an Artful Eye

34

58 DELTA PILOTS AWARDED Outstanding Members of the Ag Community

departments

60 FATHER DAUGHTER

14 FARMER Q & A

FARMING

Carrying on the Family Legacy

James ‘Bubba” Bowen, Jr.

16 EXTENSION AGENT

66 MACA

An Important Delta Asset

SPOTLIGHT Emily Carter

20 AG BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Valley View Agri Systems

14

on the cover

26 FARM HEADQUARTERS Triple Run Farms

32 FARM FAMILIES

Delta Ag Journal

Burton Farms, Home Cypress Farms

The Farm Lifestyle Magazine of the Mississippi Delta

72 HISTORY

The Birth of an Airline

26

84 RECIPES

MS PROPERTY TAX ALLIANCE

Spring Garden Ingredients

Volume 2 • Number 2 • APRIL 2019

Adron Belk and his family photographed

by Rory Doyle. Triple Run Farms is the Farm Headquarters feature on page 26.

DeWitt Auction Brittney Turner

86 OUT & ABOUT

Delta Pilots Awarded

60

MACA

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 3

Scott Coopwood, PUBLISHER

Delta Ag Journal Publisher: J. Scott Coopwood Editors: Kristy Kitchings, Pam Parker Graphic Designer: Cailee Conrad WRITERS Jack Orloff, Aimee Robinette, Angela Rogalski, Greta Sharp, Patrick R. Shepard, Mark H. Stowers, Noel Workman PHOTOGRAPHY Victoria Darden, Rory Doyle, Robert Jones CIRCULATION Holly Tharp

A Salute to the Delta Ag Industry In this edition of the Delta Ag Journal, we bring you another round of articles that celebrate the ag world of the Mississippi Delta. There is never a shortage of stories here in the Delta and we owe much appreciation to the many farmers and others who call us with their ideas. Without this input, we would be challenged to bring you this magazine on a quarterly basis. So, for everyone reading this, please don’t hesitate to call us with your story ideas and anything else you have. Email me at scott@coopwood.net or call our office at (662) 843-2700.

Included in this edition you will find a spotlight article on Emily Carter who is the County Extension Agent overseeing Sharkey and Issaquena Counties. Emily has introduced and is in charge of many programs in the South Delta that have added much to that region. Her association with Mont Helena, an antebellum home that sits on top of an Indian mound just west of Highway 61 north of Rolling Fork, is well known.

That beautiful home adds much to tourism in the South Delta and congratulations to Emily and others who help maintain it and hold interesting events there.

K & D and Valley View Agri-Systems on page 20 is another interesting article in this edition.

It was founded in 1980 by Fred and Susan Cathcart and Jim Cochran purchased it in 2012. Their story is a testament to hard work and keeping up with the changes in the ag industry that constantly take place. A great company full of great people.

When we were researching the various departments that would be included in each edition of this magazine, long before the first edition was published, we asked our farming friends, “What would you like to see in an ag magazine published for our area?” Several farmers responded, “I always like to see what other headquarters look like.” So, that became one of our departments, “FARM HEADQUARTERS” and it certainly has proven to be a hit.

Beginning on page 26, you’ll find a story on Adron Belk’s place, Triple Run Farms on the Bolivar/ Sunflower County line. Belk also has a story to tell of how he got into farming. His father was a first generation farmer and Belk grew up on his father’s farm. But in and after college, Belk struck out on his own.

Can young people still get into farming these days? Absolutely. And Belk’s story demonstrates this.

Our “Farm Families” department features Drew, Hays, and Greg Burton and their operation as well as Scott Flowers’ farm. Great stories you will not want to miss.

Other articles in this edition include, “Mississippi Property Tax Alliance” on page 36 which is a subject that is on everyone’s mind. DeWitt Auction Company on page 40 is also another great article as is our piece on Young Farmers and Ranchers on page 46. A year ago, we ran across the work of an incredible ag photographer and on page 50, you’ll find out about Brittany Turner who has a unique eye when it comes to capturing the beauty of agriculture. Brittany’s photos grace the covers of books, magazines, and everything else. She is super talented and spends her days traveling the backroads of the Arkansas and Mississippi Deltas with her camera. The “Farmer-Daughter Farming” story on Randy and Victoria Darden is another interesting story in this edition found on page page 61.

These are just a few of the many articles that make up this edition. We hope you enjoy them.

In closing, on behalf of the staff here at the Delta Ag Journal, we appreciate the wonderful support we are getting from our advertisers and readers. Thank you!

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Emma Jean Thompson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kristy Kitchings, Ann Nestler, Wendy Mize, Shelby Tuttle POSTMASTER Send all address changes to: Delta Ag Journal P.O. Box 117, Cleveland, MS 38732 ADVERTISING For advertising information, please call (662) 843-2700 Fax (662) 843-0505 Delta Ag Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials and in general does not return them to sender. Manuscripts and photographs submitted for publication are welcomed by Delta Ag Journal, but no responsibility can be taken for them while in transit or in the office of publication.

All editorial and advertising information is taken from sources considered to be authoritative, but the publication cannot guarantee their accuracy. Neither that information nor any opinion expressed on the pages of Delta Ag Journal in any way constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities mentioned. No material in the Delta Ag Journal can be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher.

Delta Ag Journal is published by Coopwood Publishing Group, Inc. EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICE ADDRESSES Mailing Address: Post Office Box 117 Cleveland, Mississippi 38732 Shipping Address: 125 South Court Street Cleveland, Mississippi 38732 Phone (662) 843-2700 Fax (662) 843-0505 E-mail: publisher@deltaagjournal.com

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Letters As an agricultural professional and educator, I enjoy reading the Delta Ag Journal to keep up-to-date with all the current events in the Delta and with my friends and associates in the agricultural business.

The Delta Ag Journal proves up-to-date information on the comings and goings in the agri-business in the Mississippi Delta.

I look forward to receiving my issue in the mail each quarter. Keep up the great work.

Steele Robbins Mississippi Delta Community College High Cotton Consulting Moorhead

The Delta Ag Journal is one of mine and my clients favorite magazines to pick up and read from cover to cover.

I keep several editions on my coffee table at my office for local farmers and visitors to read while waiting to take care of insurance business. The editorial content that your staff comes up with is just so interesting to read and the photography is always beautiful. The Insurance Firm is excited to have our advertisement in your publication and will continue to support this publication that is so richly dedicated to the farmers of the Mississippi Delta.

Congratulations to Scott Coopwood and the staff at Delta Ag Journal on an exceptional magazine.

Ray Chacon The Insurance Firm Cleveland

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF DELTA AG JOURNAL visit www.deltaagjournal.com or call (662) 843-2700

6 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

Letters I would like to congratulate the Delta Ag Journal and their staff on such an outstanding publication.

I always look forward to receiving my magazine in the mail and sitting down and reading it cover to cover, learning about new farming innovations, discovering young and upcoming first time farmers, and admiring the wonderful photography you have selected with each story.

But, the real reason I decided to drop you a note was to tell you thank you for reaching out to Americot-NextGen to be one of your advertisers for the 2019 issues.

I have known Kristy Kitchings’ family for many years. It was a pleasure to reconnect with her at the MACA Conference in Starkville as she was promoting the Delta Ag Journal to potential advertisers and ag consultants. Your staff made it a point to talk to every representative in the room and provide knowledgable information about the publication.

Thank you for taking the time to put out such an informative magazine about such a great industry as agriculture.

Bruce West Americot-NexGen Hollandale I really enjoy the Delta Ag Journal.

The articles are always very informative and the photography is outstanding. The history articles are probably my favorites.

It is interesting to read about the various plantations around the Delta and the history behind them. Keep up the good work!

Hunter Ussery Wade Incorporated Cleveland

SEND COMMENTS AND LETTERS TO publisher@deltaagjournal.com or Delta Ag Journal P.O. Box 117 Cleveland, MS 38732 APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 7

AG NEWS

Nutrien Ag Solutions Expands Nu t r i e n Ag Solutions recently announced the purchase of a 198acre research farm located in Winterville, Mississippi. The site is in a key farming area of Washington County and will be used for Tarsi development of new products from the company’s Dyna-Gro seed platform. In addition to plant breeding activities, the company will use the site for evaluation of new offerings from Loveland Products as well as a demonstration center for company employees and customers.

“We are very fortunate to find a site to integrate our development of new technologies for the future,” commented Jeff Tarsi, Nutrien Ag Solutions Vice-President of Retail.”

Wade Inc Acquires Parker Tractor Wade Incorporated has announced the acquisition of Parker Tractor in Tunica, Miss.

Founded in 1984, Parker Tractor has served the Tunica and surrounding community for over thirty-five years. Under the Wade Incorporated name, it will continue to serve this same community for many more years to come.

“We are thankful to the Parker and Graves families for the standard of hard work and reliability set by Parker Tractor,” said Wade Litton, CEO of Wade Incorporated.

“We look forward to providing the same level of integrity and service under the Wade Incorporated brand.”

Wade Inc. owns thirteen dealerships throughout the northern part of Mississippi.

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Congress Establishes New Water Research Center

Martin Locke, left, director of the Agricultural Research Service National Sedimentation Laboratory; Jeff Johnson, head of the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center; and Greg Bohach, vice president for the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, stand at the site of the newly created agricultural water research center in Stoneville, Mississippi. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Kevin Hudson)

A new research center in the Mississippi Delta is tasked with studying agricultural water management to protect this critical natural resource.

Jeff Johnson, head of the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center, said the center primarily focuses on waters in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. Plans for establishing the facility began in 2014 after several meetings with researchers, regional farmers and stakeholders to discuss water-related research in the Lower Mississippi River region.

A cooperative venture between the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, the center will be located at the MAFES West Farm, a former Monsanto facility, on the Stoneville campus.

Johnson and Martin Locke, director of the ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi, coauthored a paper detailing current research and future needs based on information gathered in the preplanning meetings. They asserted that easily available water at relatively low costs in the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer has encouraged an overreliance on the underground source for irrigation.

Their paper provided the basis for regional customers and stakeholders to request an

appropriation from USDA-ARS, which was approved in the 2017 federal budget.

Collaborations in the Lower Mississippi River Basin will include researchers from MAFES, several USDA-ARS research units, the University of Mississippi, the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Louisiana State University and the University of Missouri.

The $4 million annual budget will be divided evenly between MAFES and ARS. In addition to purchasing equipment and redesigning the building, the budget includes funds for new personnel. MAFES will add three new positions: two agronomists, an agricultural engineer and a natural-resource economist. ARS will hire an agricultural engineer, a plant physiologist and a soil scientist.

Locke said the center will assess the profitability and risks associated with agriculture and conservation systems in the region.

“We also want to assess surface and subsurface water, surface runoff and contaminant movement in conservation crop-production systems at plot and field levels,” he said.

Johnson said support from former Sen. Thad Cochran, the Delta Council and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation was essential in pushing this project forward.

AG NEWS

Early Spring Rains Delay Planting Recent rainfall in north Mississippi flooded many areas and made much Delta farmland unworkable as the time approached for planting and other traditional tasks.

Mike Brown, state climatologist and Mississippi State University professor, said the area around Interstate 20 has had normal rainfall since January, while areas farther south have been slightly below normal.

“The greatest amount of rain fell on the northern one-third of the state,” Brown said. “From Jan. 1 to March 12, Tupelo had 22.84 inches of rain, the wettest on record; Starkville had 20.03 inches, the fifth wettest on record; and Greenwood had 17.53 inches, the sixth wettest on record.”

Larry Oldham, soil specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said using heavy equipment too soon after it has flooded can compact soil below the surface.

“This creates a zone that is resistant to root growth and water infiltration, and that decreases the ability of your crop to thrive, as it limits the plants’ access to nutrients and water,” Oldham said.

In addition to the Mississippi River, several important rivers drain the Delta.

Frequent, heavy rains are raising river levels across the state. Standing water is found in

The last few, very wet months caused supersaturated ground conditions across much of the Mississippi Delta. This field in Sunflower County was covered in standing water from recent heavy rains and river flooding (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Bonnie Coblentz)

large areas around the Sunflower and Yazoo rivers and farther north in the Friars Point area.

Corn is typically the first row crop planted in Mississippi each year, with some fields being planted as early as mid-March.

Erick Larson, Extension corn specialist, said it is too early to know what impact recent wet weather will have on the crop.

When rivers flood onto farmland, they often wash in debris that is left after waters recede. Flooded river bottoms displace wildlife such as deer, snakes and alligators, and the water itself often carries contaminants such as pesticides, other chemicals and waste from flooded septic systems.

The Heirloom: Not Your Typical Tomato Many folks have been waiting for this moment: the day it’s warm enough and past the main threat of frost to become tomato planting time.

An old garden tradition is planting tomatoes on Good Friday. The only problem is that Easter moves around, and where you live in Mississippi makes a difference. When Easter is early, the planting date is just right.

This year, Good Friday is April 19, which is a good planting date for the northern part of the state but too late for coastal counties.

April 5 is the optimum planting date on the Coast.

Everyone has their own favorite tomatoes to grow in the garden, but one group of tomatoes creates a lot of buzz. I’m talking about heirloom tomatoes.

Heirlooms are not your typical, grocery store Stepford tomato. They come in every shape, size and color imaginable. These tomatoes are treasured for being more flavorful, nutritious and beautiful than other

varieties. And, to some, growing heirloom tomatoes is a status symbol.

But what makes an heirloom tomato different? In a word: tradition.

Heirloom tomatoes were commonly passed down from one generation to another within families, in much the way furniture or dishes are inherited. A great example is the Nebraska Wedding tomato. The seeds of this “love apple” are still being given to brides as part of their trousseaus. It keeps alive the farming tradition of giving part of the farm

and wishing fertility to the newlyweds.

Some say a tomato variety must be at least 50 years old to be considered an heirloom.

But this is an arbitrary definition, like saying all cars in Mississippi older than twenty-five years are antiques.

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, which means they breed true from collected seed. From the gardening standpoint, once you find an heirloom tomato you really like, saving seed each year can ensure you will continue to enjoy it in the future. This is also an important characteristic in helping maintain genetic diversity.

Heirloom tomatoes have been selected for taste and flavor, and they have regional environmental preferences. As such, they suffer more from environmental influences than their hybrid cousins, which are bred for consistent performance around the country.

So, picking good heirloom performers for the hot and humid Mississippi climate is important.

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THROUGH THE YEARS

A DUSTY DELTA DAY Jim Michie, grandfather of former Merigoldian, Jim “Fish” Michie, managed Bremner Plantation in Merigold. The Bremners lived in Chicago and owned Bremner Baking Company which later evolved into Nabisco. Jim’s brother Ese, was the bookkeeper for Bremner. Their aunt (Katherine) was married to David Bremner. Fish was named after his grandfather and was born on his grandfather’s birthday. This scene could have taken place in any Delta town during this era ... trailers full of cotton, headed to the local gin, pulled by mules.

Photo courtesy of Martin and Sue King Railroad Heritage Museum

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FARMER Q&A

JAMES "BUBBA" BOWEN, JR. Boyle, Mississippi

Best Advice You Have Received

Timing is crucial in farming, so be on time with everything you do. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide to apply on their crops at certain timing.

How Did You Become Interested In Farming?

I have received a lot of advice, but this sticks out the most: hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

I have been around farming all my life and I have always wanted to have my own farm. I just never had the opportunity. It’s in my blood. I am hoping one day my kids will continue what I have started.

Your First Job

What Do You Like About Farming?

Best Advice You Would Give

At the age of fourteen, I worked for my father in the rice field.

Education

I graduated from Cleveland High School in 1990 and attended Mississippi Delta Community College from 1991-1993. I am also a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy.

Family

My favorite part of farming is harvest time. Hopefully all the hard work will have paid off.

What Do You Not Like About Farming?

The one thing I dislike about farming is being away from my family a lot.

Best Decision You Have Ever Made

The day I decided to take a chance at farming on my own.

I am very thankful for the support from my wife and kids. I have been married to LaWanna for nineteen years and have seventeen year old twin daughters, Kassi and Abbi, and a thirteen year old son, John Thomas.

Worst Decision You Have Ever Made?

Current Job Position

There is a lot of people that has made a difference in my life, but the most one that sticks out are my parents. They both had to work hard or everything they had. They instilled that in me. Working hard will get you anywhere you want to go.

I am a crop consultant for Bowen Rice Consulting Services and owner of B & L Farms, LLC. Describe What You Do On Your Job

I currently check crops for Delta area farmers. I recommend what 14 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

Not taking a chance on farming earlier in life.

Someone Who Made A Big Difference In Your Life

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 15

EXTENSION AGENT

Above, Carter preparing to conduct a floral design workshop.

EMILY CARTER

Having A Positive Impact On Communities

By Angela Rogalski

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is an organization that you’ve probably heard of, but maybe don’t fully understand all that they do.

Many people hear county extension agent and think of an agricultural agent.

And for the most part, that’s correct. Except that the Mississippi State University Extension Service and their agents do a lot more than just agriculture-based projects and education.

16 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

The Mississippi State University Service provides research-based information, educational programs, and use technology to focus on the issues and needs of the people of Mississippi, enabling them to make informed decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being.

Emily Carter is the County Extension Coordinator in Sharkey and Issaquena Counties with Mississippi State University Extension Services. Carter says

her programming areas with Extension Services are Family Consumer Science, Community Development and 4-H. “The beauty of what I do is that there’s something different almost every day,” Carter says. “We wear many hats. For example, Family Consumer Science is teaching adults and sometimes youth healthy life habits and healthy living through nutrition and fitness.”

Carter adds that those healthy life hab-

Above, Carter and a group of Issaquena County 4-Hers in the Mississippi Senate Chamber at the state capital during a KEYS To The Community program. Right, with fellow Extension Agent Ann Twiner from Sunflower County in Family Consumer Science cooking demonstration training.

its are taught through programs such as “Walk-a-Weigh,” which is a nutrition education and physical activity program designed to promote healthy nutrition practices and increased physical activity through the creation of small community walking groups.

“A lot of what we do is curriculum-based, written by specialists at Mississippi State. And then we present that programming in the communities. I’ve just started a Walk-a-Weigh program, which is something that I do almost every year. It’s an eight week program that serves a group that wants to participate. We have people who still have their walking group after five years. So, this program has lasting impact.”

Carter says what she does as an extension coordinator is try to create positive change in people’s lives.

“Another statewide program that I’m doing is Junior Master Wellness Volunteers, which involves teens focused on wellness and dedicated to serving their community. I have two groups of teens, a total of about twenty-five youth, and

it’s curriculum-based as well. Ultimately, these groups will become community health advocates. They will be able to talk with people in the community about healthy life habits. The volunteer component of that is they have to do twenty hours of community service. So, they’re taking what they have learned and applying it in the community. One of the groups has done a food drive and has even gone to the next level by going to the food bank and helping to dispense food into the community.”

The community development faction of Carter’s job also seeks to provide positive change through partnerships with communities to address important local issues and opportunities.

“I work with Mont Helena quite a bit, which is an antebellum home right outside of Rolling Fork,” she says. “We try to promote tourism in the area, so we do tours of the house. It has really had a very positive response.”

Carter says that with 4-H, she is working with a program called “4-H SAFETY,” which stands for Safe Ar-

chery & Firearms Education & Training for Youth.

“We do shooting sports and archery,” Carter continues. “It’s all about safety, with a trained adult-child partnership.

That’s just one of the 4-H programs that we do.”

Carter has been an extension agent for fifteen years and says that she loves her job and really receives fulfilment and joy from what she does.

“The main thing is that I can see what I do actually has a positive impact on people and helps them,” she explains.

“Whether it’s in helping a young person develop a life skill that will benefit them in college or in their career. Since I have been doing it for fifteen years, I can see the end result, and it’s very satisfying to see something that we did in 4-H helps them later on. And the same with adults, teaching them healthy habits and seeing many of them adopt those habits and change their lives in a positive way is just so gratifying.”

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 17

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AG BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

FULL SERVICE Providing Farm Storage Facilities and Parts Across the Delta and Beyond

By Aimee Robinette • Photography by Rory Doyle

20 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

Front row, from left, Tim Sbravati and Jimmy Ferguson; back row, from left, Austin Christmas, David Lester, Hal Fleming, John Curry and Craig Taylor

V

alley View Agri-Systems, located in Cleveland, continues to provide farm storage facilities across the Delta and state. Valley View Agri-Systems was founded in 1980

by Fred and Susan Cathcart. K&D Associates was purchased and integrated into the Valley View brand in 2000. In 2012, Jim Cochran purchased the company; and is currently the CEO/ Owner.

Hal Fleming, director of sales/operations in the Cleveland office, says Valley View Agri-Systems provides full-service systems design and new construction sales.

“We also handle the service and parts needs in the LA/MS corridor. To meet our customer’s needs, we will employ as many as four service crews at any given time,” Fleming says. “I assist my team in problem resolution, pricing, market interpretation, resource loading, and any other factor that keeps us efficient and poised to handle opportunities and challenges. I monitor performance in the market to ensure we provide a quality product, services, and

keep sufficient inventory to ensure timely service to our customers while keeping our commitment to safety for our employees and customers. Also, I work with my team, and customers, to understand the opportunities associated with the conditioning of grains to ensure safe storage so that our customers can take advantage of market opportunities and maximize return on their grain inventories.”

Valley View Agri-Systems has a loyal customer base due to its professionally designed and constructed farm storage facilities as well as its experienced service crews to timely and efficiently handle breakdown and repair needs. “We also carry a full inventory of parts as to expedite recovery time of breakdown,” Fleming says.

“Farm storage is an important part of our customers operations.

It helps to improve harvest efficiencies by allowing them to harvest in a timely manner, and it also opens up other marketing options by allowing them to condition and store their own grain versus APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 21

Valley View Agri Systems has experienced service crews to timely and efficiently handle repairs. They also carry a full inventory of parts to expedite recovery time.

delivering it straight to the elevators at harvest,” he adds.

Valley View Agri-Systems also keeps up with changes in their field.

“Grain bins have gotten more structural as OEM’s have tried to lighten the steel in them. Not much has changed with the bins; however there have been significant advances in the way we handle and condition grain,” Fleming says.

Chain Loops have replaced the conventional circles as they allow a producer to have a receiving pit and load station which is tied into a system of inline bins.

Grain Pumps have been a significant advancement to the traditional augers.

Better capacities and less damage to the grain have been a result of this.

Traditional conditioning of grain has been replaced with cable systems which take advantage of algorithms developed through the research at some prominent universities. Grain dryers have come a long way as well. With algorithms that give a level of autonomous control allowing the producer to focus on other tasks vs having to babysit these processes.

Fleming says the most significant advancements have been in data acquisition and remote monitoring of these processes with some of them giving a level of remote control.

“The intent is to use technology to allow more efficient operations into farm systems. A producer having confidence in the dependable transfer of grain and conditioning is a necessity in today’s climate of suppressed commodity prices.

Efficiencies are very important,” he adds. “We pride ourselves to be in the forefront of utilizing these technologies to help our customers to become more profitable.”

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FARM HEADQUARTERS

TRIPLE RUN FARMS A Passion for the Farm Life

By Angela Rogalski • Photography by Rory Doyle

T

he farming life isn’t for everyone, and that’s a fact. But when it is, when you know that you were meant to turn up the ground and grow things, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s risky, sometimes scary, but always worth it when farming is your passion.

Adron Belk owns Triple Run Farms on the Bolivar/Sunflower County line.

And farming is most defi nitely his passion. Belk is a second generation farmer, having started his love with the land when he was a small boy growing up helping his dad.

“I started going to the farm pretty 26 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

much from the time I took my first breath,” Belk laughs. “My father farms over in Leflore and Tallahatchie Counties, and he was a first generation farmer. I grew up on the farm and worked with my father all during my youth. I learned so much from him.”

In 2008, when Belk was at the University of Mississippi pursuing his degree in Business, he rented his first 400 acres on his own in Leflore County and farmed it while attending school.

Doing that, he says, gave him an opportunity to get his feet wet and see what he could do.

“Then in the fall of 2010, I rented 2,600 acres right outside of Cleveland in Sunflower County,” Belk says. “I graduated from college in the spring of 2011 and I planted my first crop on that 2,600 acres. At that time, my father farmed half of that and I farmed the other half, but I managed all of it. We grew corn and soybeans on that acreage.

And from then until now, I’ve picked up other farms that border me and I farm about 4,100 acres today.”

Belk grows corn, soybeans and rice on all of his acreage. “I really love what I do, but to me, if a person doesn’t enjoy

Belk, wife, Betsy and their daughters Janie and Charlotte

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 27

Belk is meticulous with all of his equipment and keeps everything stored in a fully-enclosed shop during the off-season.

farming I think it would have to be the worst profession imaginable. Whatever the good Lord gives you weather-wise is something you have to learn to accept, which is for all of us, but certainly in farming.”

Belk adds his success is only as great as the people he has surrounded himself with over the years. “I give all credit to God first for any success that I’ve had.

And then my wife, Betsy, for always supporting me and understanding the unpredictability of farming. Also to my father for introducing me to farming

28 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

and encouraging me to farm on my own.

I’ve been blessed with great consultants, they always make me and my crops look better. And my great secretary who helps me handle my under-the-roof business so that I can be more productive in the field. My agronomist, my seed and chemical reps, equipment salesmen, aerial applicators, bankers, landlords, and accountants have been a blessing to me and my family. I try to surround myself with good people that I trust and then I listen to them.”

Belk also says he owes a big thank-

you to farmworkers from South Africa who come to Triple Run through the H2A temporary agricultural program.

“They are fantastic help and I couldn’t do this without them. I also have a couple of retired guys who help me.

They all deserve way more credit than I do.”

As far as how he approaches farming, Belk says it may be different each season.

“My father has always given me the advice: don’t do something just because your daddy did it,” Belk says. “Because the business we’re in is always changing

and evolving and we have to adapt to those changes. The most valuable tool that I can have is amnesia, just forget last year, because one thing is guaranteed, what happened last year isn’t going to happen this year. And don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. I can’t do something just because I did it the year before and expect it to work every time.

And every farm is different. You can go to 100 farms and each one is unique in that each farmer does things his or her own way. For me and my farm, grain is more profitable right now than cotton.”

Belk says he markets his own grain and inputs and he’s glad about that.

“From a farming standpoint, chasing the market is always a hard thing to do.

You never feel like you’re making the right decision, because you always think that things could get better. I manage and market myself. I’m a firm believer in buying from people who can give you the best deal and selling to folks who can give you more value for your product.

I don’t work with just one company, I check with them all. Whoever has the best deal is who I buy from, or sell to.

I use a financial consultant that uses my personal on-farm averages to generate crop mixes and break-evens. This allows me to be more confident in my decisionmaking when marketing my grains and inputs.”

Belk adds that he has a mission when it comes to farming, despite the struggles and challenges.

“I believe my purpose in farming is to honor God and provide for my wife, Betsy and my two daughters, Janie and Charlotte.”

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 29

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APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 31

FARM FAMILIES

COLE LAKE PLANTATION A Family Affair Since 1953

By Aimee Robinette

C

ole Lake Plantation is a storied piece of farmland, one that dates back to just after World War II.

“The plantation was purchased by my great-great uncle, Lauris Shelton in 1953 and the farm is still owned today by the Shelton family,” says Drew Burton, who now farms the land with his brother, Hays, and father, Greg. “After World War II, Mr. O’Banion from Dallas bought land around Bobo Bayou in Quitman County between Lambert and Crowder.

At the time, Uncle Lauris was living and

32 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

farming around Crowder. Mr. O’Banion hired Uncle Lauris to clear the land for agricultural production.”

Burton says the two developed a strong friendship and after the job was complete, Mr. O’Banion told Uncle Lauris to find the farm that he wanted, and he would be a silent, fifty percent partner in buying the farm.

“A realtor approached Uncle Lauris early in 1953 about taking a look at the farm on Cole Lake owned at the time by Noel Reed from Belzoni. The farm had been owned by Reed for a

long time. As they were driving to Cole Lake, Uncle Lauris noted the palmetto bushes growing around Caile and told the realtor if this is what the farm looked like he could turn around and go back to Crowder. The realtor persuaded Uncle Lauris to continue and showed him Cole Lake Farm,” Burton says. “A few days later, Uncle Lauris, accompanied by his trusted worker and friend, Alex Pullem, put on a pair of rubber boots and walked over the entire farm. Uncle Lauris decided that this was the place he wanted and set up a closing. After

Drew, Greg and Hays Burton

the deal had been signed, he asked Mr. Reed if he wanted to finance the land or if he wanted all the payment in cash.

“This was surprising since credit and money were very tight in the early 1950s. The deal was finalized and Uncle Lauris moved to Belzoni in 1954 and began farming Cole Lake Farm until his death in 1978. He paid Mr. O’Banion his fifty percent by 1957,” Burton adds. “Noel Reed bought Rabbit Ridge Plantation in Tallahatchie County and moved to Charleston. Uncle Lauris grew cotton, soybeans and cattle. At the time of his death, the cotton yield on Cole Lake Farm was 1,260 pounds of lint per acre. Having no children, Uncle Lauris left his farm to our side of the family and we have owned it since then.”

Burton said his father, Greg, now farms the entire original

property bought by Uncle Lauris. As he, and eventually his brother began to farm on their own, their father helped them get started with other farms. While they all farm separately, they still operate together as one unit. “We grow cotton, corn, soybeans, and rice,” says Burton.

The family farms a combined 5,500 acres of land, and Burton said owning his own farm has always been a dream. “I wanted to start right out of high school, but my father told me he would let me come back and farm if I brought him back a four-year college degree. In 2008, I graduated from Mississippi State and the rest is history.”

Burton said he wanted to farm from the time he was old enough to appreciate the environment in which he was raised.

“It taught me to be thankful for the little things like sunrises, sunsets, the smell of cotton in the fall and the rain,” he says.

“The winters off aren’t too bad either, especially if you like to do a little light deer and duck hunting.”

Burton said technology has changed the most in farming. “It’s something you have to keep up with almost daily or it will pass you by,” he adds. “One thing, in my opinion, that has remained the same, is the fact that we still live or die by Mother Nature.

There are also many challenges surrounding a farm operation.

“The challenges are substantial. We risk everything every year to grow a crop with circumstances we cannot control such as the weather, the market, the price of chemicals or tractors,” Burton says. “We have to figure out how to make our operation work year in and year out based on the hand we are dealt, not the hand we choose. There is no margin for error. We have to be perfect.”

Regardless of the unknowns, Burton loves watching things grow.

“I love the smell of the dirt in the spring when were working land. I love the smell of a cotton field when it begins to open up.

I am truly blessed to do this job.”

Burton has learned a thing or two about farming.

“Be diversified. Don’t let your farm be your only source of income. Find other avenues to make money other than solely relying on your farm to feed your family. It will sure help you in the lean years. I have dabbled in real estate. My father always stressed to me that farming couldn’t be my only source of income, and that I needed to be diversified. I made my first crop in 2014. Prices were good.

“We had a great year and I made money. I thought to myself, ‘there’s nothing to this.’ Little did I know the years following 2014 would be followed by a sharp decline in crop prices, wet springs, wet falls, Trade Wars with China, and the worst Flood this Mississippi Delta has seen since 1973,” he adds. “I realized in the years following 2014 how important being diversified was.

I have a wife and three daughters to provide for. It’s not just me I have to worry about. I had the opportunity to go to work for Agriworld Incorporated in February of 2018. Agriworld is a farm management and brokerage company based out of Lake Village, Ark. It manages 55,000 plus or minus acres of Land in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. I now manage all of Agriworlds Mississippi farm accounts and handle all of our Mississippi Brokerage. I am very fortunate to be a part of Agriworld.”

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 33

FARM FAMILIES

HOME CYPRESS FARMS Connected to the Soil for Over a Century

By Aimee Robinette

H

ome Cypress Farms, based out of Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties, is steeped in tradition. Formerly Mattson Farms, Home Cypress Farms now encompasses about 10,000 acres.

“My great uncle, Roy Flowers and grandfather, Graydon Flowers, moved to Coahoma County in the early 1900s and started farming,” says Scott Flowers. “Our farm started out as primarily a cotton farm but now we are more diversified growing cotton, corn, soybeans and peanuts.” Flowers farms with his father, Harry, and brother, Graydon.

Scott says he decided to farm because he was blessed with the resources to do something that he has a passion for and truly enjoys.

“So many of my earliest, fondest memories are of growing up on the farm.

In the Spring, when we start tilling the ground, the scent of the soil brings me back. I will always cherish the times with my dad, riding in his truck, observing his joy and pride in his craft. It drew me in then. I’ll always remember the long, hot, yet really fun, summers, chopping cotton with my junior high and high school friends. It is a connection to the land that is hard to pull away from. It’s always felt like home.”

Harry Flowers greatly improved the farm over the past forty years. “He took what my grandfather and great-uncle passed to him and made it better. Shortly after he started farming in the 1970s, my dad began land forming the ground, drilling irrigation wells, and conducting other dirt work to improve drainage and to allow for irrigation of the crops,” Scott says. “He also saw the importance 34 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

of improving the fertility of the soil.

Dad began having the soil sampled on a three-year basis and variably applying potash, phosphate, and lime where needed. When my brother, Graydon, and I started becoming more involved we took the same approach. We wanted to take what we had been given and make it better. For the past fifteen years, we have been aggressively land forming more ground and drilling more wells with the goal of becoming a 100 percent irrigated farm. We have also continued in our father’s strict soil sampling and application program. We truly believe these practices have reduced our risk and made our operation sustainable.”

The Flowers also note that agriculture has changed a lot over the years with the main driver being technology. “My father once steered a plow pulled by a mule. Now we have tractors, utilize GPS technology called ‘Auto Steer’ that nearly drives themselves.”

Despite the changes, some things are still the same.

“It is still the same as when my great uncle and grandfather first took it on. We still face each new spring with cautious optimism. We still have the privilege of putting seed in the ground, anxiously awaiting new growth to emerge. We still have the honor of protecting the young crop, hoping and working for it to yield better than the last,” Scott says. “We still approach the harvest, praying that the weather will be kind and allow us to collect what we have worked so hard to grow. We still look back at the end of each year with gratitude, thinking about what we did right, what we did wrong, ready for the next year, ready for a new

opportunity. We are always striving to do our best. We also realize so many challenges we face are out of our control - commodity prices, high input costs, and unfavorable weather conditions – all the issues we have seen in recent times.”

The Flowers family has also continued to stay with the times, growing their farm and adding such crops as peanuts.

“One of my most enjoyable ventures of the past several years has been growing peanuts,” says Scott. “We were enticed to start growing them by the high prices that were being offered in 2012.

Though the prices have fallen, we still see value in raising them. Our yields have continued to improve, and peanuts have proven to be a fantastic rotational crop, greatly improving our cotton yields the following year. Peanuts are relatively easy to grow. The hard part is harvesting them.”

Scott says conditions must be right to growing peanuts.

“Peanuts grow underground. When they are mature, they must be dug and inverted with specialized equipment.

After the peanuts are above ground, they must dry down for three to seven days before they can be harvested by a peanut combine. It is an extremely slow and dirty process,” he adds. “Typically, we can only harvest fifteen to twenty acres per day per combine. We have three peanut combines. Though it’s extremely challenging, there is something very rewarding about growing such a health food crop.”

There are only about 125 peanut growers in the state, and Home Cypress Farms is proud to be one of them.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 35

MISSISSIPPI PROPERTY TAX ALLIANCE

Non-Profit Groups Seek to Slow Tax Value Increases

By Mark H. Stowers

F

armers have plenty of hurdles each growing season.

Weather, insects, plant diseases, rising input costs and commodity prices.

But the one thing they rely on as the foundation of their passion has an out of control tax problem – their land. Farm land has a complex taxation situation that has grown over the years forcing farmers to pay larger tax bills.

In 2016, a group of Leflore, Sunflower and Holmes County farmers came together to form the Mississippi Property Tax Alliance (MSPTA), Inc. to make revisions to taxation. The group of volunteers sponsored legislation in 2017 to help slow the annual increases in tax values and continues to work on other legislation and ideas to simplify farmland and timberland taxation procedures that were implemented in 1990.

According to the association, Mississippi has uniform taxation across all classes of property with farmland being Class II property. Property is taxed based on its use on January 1 each year. The Mississippi Department of Revenue computes a three-year moving average of net income on each of the five soil classes in each of the seven land resource of the state.

Net income is derived from average yields, average market prices and costs of production from MSU budgets.

Crops grown on at least five percent of the acreage in each

36 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

area are used in computing income for the soil classes.

The net income is then capitalized at a ten percent rate to determine the Agricultural Use Value for taxation. For example, $200/ac. net income divided by .10 = $ 2,000/ac.

15% of that value becomes the assessed value and the county millage rate determines the tax owed.

This is a use value and not a market value. In comparison, homes are appraised at market value by the county tax appraiser and taxed on ten percent of that value.

Some counties have taxes of $29 to $60 per acre on the better soils. This has become a burden to owner/operator farms and absentee landowners who are getting a lower return on their land.

High taxes also affect market values and impact marketability of land in some areas when compared to lower farm tax states like Arkansas with $4-8/acre and Louisiana at $3-4/acre.

Association president Harry O’Neal, directors Bob Morgan, Jim Thomas and Executive Director Mary Annette Morgan Smith helped explain the situation farmers constantly face with rising farm land taxes.

“State law and administrative tax calculation formulas increased land values for taxation in most geographic tax areas of the state by ten percent a year compounded since 2002 and in all areas from 2009 to 2017,” Morgan says.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 37

Front, from left, Charles Kimble, Jim Thomas, Jim Tackett, Terry Maxwell. Back, from left, Harry O’Neal, John Bush, David Grossman, Clint Dunn and Bob Morgan

“We’re still looking for ways to simplify the whole process.”

The MSPTA has been working on legislation.

“We did get some legislation passed two years ago to slow down some of the increase in the property values that we had seen,” Morgan says. “We had support from Farm Bureau and other groups. These are just our first steps.”

The legislation brought the rate of increase or decrease in values to four percent from its ten percent rate statewide beginning in 2018. With the mounting increase each year, farmers have to pay larger taxes each year despite what they make off the land.

“When you see $30 to $60 dollars per acre fixed cost in taxes before you do anything on the property, buyers are going to look at that very closely and see if it’s a business decision they need to make,” Morgan says.

Increases in taxes may continue but MSPTA is trying to slow down the increases and allow for declines if farm income falls. The association continues to have meetings with landowners across the Delta and the state to educate and recruit more help to battle the growing tax problem.

“Rising taxation is a statewide concern,” Morgan says. “Generally, taxes were increasing ten percent every year and taxes were doubling every six to seven years. It becomes a big expense to your farm or reduces your return on investment for investment property. It’s becoming a burden. We’re trying to slow down these increases so farmers can better project and manage their expenses. Also, proposed legislation keeps land leased for hunting and fishing as agricultural land.”

Land taxes are due in December each year and have become a large expense for many farms. Larger taxes may send those looking for land to other states.

“Arkansas and Louisiana have much lower land taxes and when folks are looking to buy land they are going to look at Arkansas and Louisiana,” Jim Thomas says. “It puts our land at a disadvantage.”

Morgan feels, “It’s putting a cap on our land values. Its restricting the buying and selling of land in Mississippi. Land owners who rent out have to factor that cost to the renter if they can.”

The whole ag economy is hurt because of the tax increase according to Mary Annette Morgan Smith.

The association leadership includes O’Neal as president and directors John Bush, Clint Dunn, David Grossman, Charles Kimble, Terry Maxwell, Morgan, Milton Parrish, Jim Thomas and Smith.

If anyone would like to become a member, contact the MSPTA through their website at www.mspropertytax.org.

38 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

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By Mark H. Stowers

F

armers spend a lifetime building their farms with land and equipment. Every year they work to continually improve each.

When it comes time to call it a day, some have the luxury of passing down to the next generation, but others have come to the end of the turnrow.

Renting out land is easy, but what becomes of the millions of dollars of equipment that has been amassed? That’s when Dewitt Auction

40 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

Company steps in to give farmers a helping hand. The Sikeston, Missouri company has been helping Delta farmers and families for decades.

Phil Dewitt has been handling sales in Mississippi for “years, years, years” and enjoys the people he meets and helps. However, he didn’t start out on the auction side of things.

“I used to go to sales and buy equipment and try to resell it. But

then I got into the auction aspect,” Dewitt says. “My older brother, Jeff, actually started the company.”

The company began in the early 1980s and the Dewitts credit their success to the Magnolia State. Most of their work comes from farmers who are retiring and the auction gives both young and old farmers a chance to get newer equipment and helps the retiring farmer unload his treasure trove of farm implements.

Phil DeWitt

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 41

An auction this past January in Webb drew a large crowd of both buyers and sellers from across the Delta.

The auction season begins in December as farmers are starting to wind down harvest and are looking to add equipment or pare down. Dewitt’s hosts three to four sales a week from December to March. To begin the process, Dewitt first appraises the farmer’s equipment to give him an idea of what a sale could bring.

“Equipment pricing has been good the past few years. The cost of new equipment has been high and has held the floor on used,” he says.

Auctions are held either at a main location for several farmers or on a farmer’s property.

“With a farm sale, we line the equipment up in the order we think it needs to be sold and then drive the speaker truck along the front of it and sell it piece by piece,” he explains. “We’ve been in business long enough to know what we think needs to sell first. It is somewhat of an art of how you line up a sale. Somewhere between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. you try to sell the high dollar items.”

Dewitt used to be the voice of the auction, but has handed that work off to other employees. He doesn’t see much 42 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

antique equipment as it gets sold on other sites to collectors and enthusiasts.

“The business has been good to me and I have a lot of great friends in Mississippi who help me,” he says. “We have a sale in Webb every year and that’s one of the largest sales from here to the Gulf. It draws more than 700 folks. We have had 1,000 people there.

At times we ran two speaker trucks.”

The auction company will help buyers figure out how to get their new farming treasures back home at the end of the day.

An on-the-farm sale may attract around 250 interested bidders, according to Dewitt. His early years were spent on a 140-acre farm where he learned how to coax growth out of row crops and some livestock. When he first got into the farm equipment sales business, a good sale was anywhere near $250,000.

“Now some of these sales go from $6 million to $9 million dollars. Most of the on-site sales go from $700,000 to $800,000 to $2 million dollars. You try to help your buyers,” he says. “There’s a lot of competition in Mississippi. You’ve got to earn a man’s trust. If a man doesn’t trust you, you can talk to him for half a day and you aren’t going to get anywhere.”

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APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 45

&

YOUNG FARMERS RANCHERS The Future of Agriculture

46 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

By Jack Orloff

T

he Farm Bureau of Mississippi hosted this year’s Mississippi Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership conference this past February in Memphis.

The conference hosted young farmers and ranchers from eighteen to thrity-five years of age to come to participate and connect at the event.

The purpose of the conference is to bring young people together who share the same interest and passion for agriculture, as

well as building the future of Agriculture in Mississippi and in the country. The conference mission is to engage young farmers and ranchers in the field because they are the future of agriculture and the future produce in America.

The conference gives these young farmers and ranchers an opportunity to connect and network while also creating friendships and relationships to help ensure that there is not

a lack of farmers in the state for the future.

Last years conference brought in 256 young farmers and ranchers and this year there were over 300 people in attendance.

Andy Brown is the regional manager of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership conference and says it is important to get these young people involved now.

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decisions so we are going to try and engage these young people to stay involved with us and make sure they understand that they are one and a half percent of the world’s population and they need to have their voice heard, so we have different speakers come in and try to speak to that,” says Brown.

One of this year’s guests speakers was elected official Congressman Harper who spoke on the importance of the future of agriculture and how it affects not only the country but the entire nation as a whole.

“The main purpose is to develop their leadership skills and learn to be better advocates for agriculture,” says Brown Brown hopes that one day these young farmers will someday take charge of the Farm Bureau and hopes for them to realize just how important farming is in the US and how important their work is for the country.

We rely on agriculture in the US and the next generation of farmers and ranchers is key to that success in feeding the country and the world.

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50 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

BRITTNEY TURNER

Seeing Agriculture with an Artful Eye

By Angela Rogalski • Photo by Robert Jones

M

any who look out over a field of soybeans or corn or rice don’t necessarily see artistic beauty or have a creative inquisitiveness about what they’re seeing and why. They may see beauty in the rich, growing crops, which is a pleasing sight, especially if you’re the farmer who planted them; they may see hardworking men and women harvesting that rich bounty, which is also a thing of beauty when it comes time to reap what you have sown.

But, for Brittney Turner it’s a totally different view, one of artful symmetry and fascinating curiosity about modern technology in farming.

“I grew up in Newport, Arkansas and I was a photographer,” Turner says. “I photographed weddings, children, and family portraits. And then a small project came up, and I was only going to do it for three months, during harvest. And that was about five or six years ago. I needed something related to the Delta

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 51

for this particular project, and I found myself thinking about new angles. To me, everyone had tried to recreate that old, nostalgic Delta. And there was nothing that I could add to that.”

Turner says that’s when the idea of photographing agriculture came to mind.

“I and realized that many people don’t think about how much modern technology, in the Delta, is related to agriculture, unless they’re actually farming. So, focusing on modern agriculture was something that fascinated me. I went through that first project’s harvest and I just kept going.”

After that experience, Turner says she thought about selling her photos as stock photography or she could actually go out and get commissioned jobs. So, for about a year or two she did things on her own, just whatever and whenever the mood struck her, using her camera on the ground and in the air to create compelling stories of modern agriculture.

Then around 2016, she received a call from Cotton USA that would prove instrumental in her future as an ag photographer.

“They licensed almost all of my cotton pictures,” she says. “They use them on their websites and on their trade displays in China and in Europe to help promote the sale of U.S. grown cotton overseas. It’s also known as Cotton Council International and

52 • Delta Ag Journal • JANUARY 2019

is part of the National Cotton Council.”

Additionally, Turner has worked with USA Rice.

Turner’s latest project has been an entire book commissioned by a Delta farmer to document his own personal journey in farming. And Turner says it was so interesting and enjoyable to do that she would love to do it for more farmers in the Delta.

“We started with planting season and went through the entire process,” she says.

“During planting and harvest, I would probably be out in the fields two or three days per week. And during growing season, I would be out there maybe once a week or once every ten days.”

Turner calls this commissioned photography “Land and Legacies.” And she plans on offering this service in her business as often as possible.

“Basically, for anyone who wants or needs this service, the end goal of course is the book. We’ll start with the history of the farm by obtaining any old photographs or documents that the client wants to include, which will tell the history of the farm, and then I’ll go through an entire year of photographing the farm. And then we tell that story as well.”

Turner lives in Memphis, Tenn. and she has also created a T-shirt line that was inspired by her ag photography. She uses

her photographs taken in the field, then hand paints scenes onto canvas creating a one of a kind, original piece of artwork, which is then used for printing designs onto the shirts.

“It’s called Bushels & Bales and it has been quite successful.”

Turner’s parents aren’t in the agricultural profession. Her father owned video stores all over Arkansas for over twenty years and right before the DVD explosion, he sold all stores to Blockbuster. He also owned tanning salons and just recently sold those as well.

“My step-father manufactures horse trailers, so I don’t really come from an ag background,” Turner says. “When someone in the ag business or a farmer sits down and looks at my pictures, it’s a huge compliment for me when they tell me that I ‘get it.’ That I totally get the farming lifestyle and the world of agriculture. As to why I get it, I’m really not sure. But the crazy thing is, honestly, when I think about photographing agriculture, I photograph it as though I was doing a wedding. I’m telling a story and all the details have to be there.”

Turner plans to compile all of her photographs one day into a book on Delta farmers and agriculture.

Visit brittneyturner.com and bushelsbales.com for more information.

JANUARY 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 53

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Delta Pilots Awarded

Outstanding Members of the Ag Community

By Jack Orloff

T

he Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association (MAAA) honored outstanding members of the ag community at this year’s convention. Shea Christmas of Christmas Flying services in Shelby was named “2019 Pilot of the Year” for his outstanding service to the agriculture industry and the community.

Christmas, a third generation crop-duster, who grew up working on airstrips, knew right away he wanted to fly planes as a career. His grandfather founded Christmas Flying Service in 1961, and after considering both the navy and commercial airlines as a platform to do what he loved, Christmas decided instead to be in the family business.

“It’s in my blood, I’ve always been passionate about aviation and flying and the ag part of it as well. My father’s a pilot, my uncle’s a pilot, and before I even got my pilot’s license I was working on the ground helping load chemicals into the airplanes,” says Christmas.

Christmas attended Delta State for his pilot’s license. “We don’t have much time off,” Christmas says, “We are really flying farmers,

58 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

taking care of the different crops, making sure everything is going according to plan.”

When asked how he felt about being named pilot of the year, Christmas was pleased,but says he is not the only one who should have won the award.

“It’s a great honor, but there are so many of us in the state that I feel deserve this award just as much as I do. People that I have learned from over the years, pilots who started out before me and taught me a lot. However, I gladly accepted the award and it is a great honor” he says.

There is no other career Christmas would rather have then flying his airplane over the fields of Mississippi.

“Being outside away from a desk, in an airplane, going that fast and low to the ground, it’s a thrill. When you get to see your work develop right in front of your eyes, you really appreciate the importance of your job.”

The National Agricultural aviation association (NAAA) awards

Shea Christmas, a third generation crop duster, was named 2018 Pilot of the Year at the MAAA Convention.

the “Agrinaut Award” for subjects that show an outstanding contribution to the agricultural community as well as agriculture aircraft operation. This past year’s “2017 Agrinaut Award” was awarded to Pete Jones, who owns Air Repair, Inc. out of Cleveland Municipal Airport. His contributions to agriculture aircraft and the agriculture industry as a whole have led him to be nationally recognized for his service to the community and the future of agriculture.

Jones, who started off wanting to fly planes for a living, took a different path. His pursuit of flying actually led him to aircraft repair and before long he was hooked.

“I had a desire to be an ag pilot and that’s not where I ended up, but where I ended up is okay,” Jones says jokingly.

Jones does everything from GPS equipment repair to servicing airplanes and engines. Pilots from all over come to him for repair because he is considered the best in the business. His national recognition is a testament to his envelopment in agriculture and

Pete Jones, owner of Air Repair, Inc. in Cleveland, was awarded the National Agricultural Aviation Association Agrinaut Award in 2017.

agriculture aviation.

“Anytime you can get recognized on a national level by your peers it’s always nice but to me, it means we have done something more than just be a service organization in a small part of the country. We have broken out of the Mississippi Delta and have had an impact on the rest of this industry nationwide and even worldwide in some ways.

“It lets you know that you have done something and that gives me a real sense of accomplishment,” said Jones The Delta Ag Journal would like to also congratulate these additional MAAA 2018 award winners: Pat Ryan - Operator of the Year, Jeff James - Honorary Lifetime, Jody Carson - L. D. “Nick” Nicholson Safety Award, Joe Tannehill - Allied Industry Associate of the Year and Regina Russell - Dorothy Kimmel Woman of the Year Award.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 59

60 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

FATHER DAUGHTER A

R

M

I

N

G

Carrying On the Family Legacy

By Greta Sharp

F

ather and daughter Randy and Victoria Darden don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to running L&R Farms in Onward, a community just outside Rolling Fork. But, they both love the land that has been in their family for generations. In early spring, they watched rising floodwaters cover their fields.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICTORIA DARDEN

F

It brings back memories of 1973’s flood, which displaced the family. Randy did plant that year, but later in the season, so he knows from experience how the schedule can be flexible. Victoria, twentyseven, struggles now with not having a plan.

“There’s a lot up in the air,” she says. “It’s very disheartening. This year is nothing like I’ve ever seen before. It’s so saturated it’s just absurd. It’s just mud.”

Until a few years ago, Randy had no idea who would carry on the family’s farming tradition when he decides to retire. He thought he’d rent out the land, and let the land support him. Victoria grew up on L&R Farms as an only child. “I was always with Daddy when I was little,” she says, but

didn’t have a firm understanding of how the farm worked and what was involved.

When she headed to Hinds Community College, Victoria planned to become a veterinary technician. Then, she quickly realized that wasn’t the field for her and considered a future in agriculture.

Before switching programs, Victoria discussed the change with Randy. “He never persuaded me,” she says. “He wanted me to pursue whatever I had in mind. He never gave me the burden of saying you’ve got to come back home. He’s proud that I’m home and he knows how hard it is.”

“I was really, honestly, in a way shocked,” Randy says of Victoria’s decision to make a career in farming. “You’ve got to have a lot of determination to want something, go through a lot of hard times.”

Though Hinds’ ag program was much more cattle-based than focused on row crops, Victoria found her niche. “It clicked just like that,” she said. “It was like being at home.”

While earning her associate’s degree,

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 61

Victoria began actively working on the farm and learned how to drive the tractor. “I like doing the work,” she says. “Even though it’s a man’s field technically, I like the fact that I can do it.”

Next, she headed to Mississippi State.

“I knew I needed a degree,” Victoria says.

“I’d heard that my whole life.” She found the classes challenging, especially those involving chemistry. “I had no idea there was so much science,” she says. “I just knew we sprayed sometimes. State opened my eyes completely.”

Victoria returned to Onward with her degree and began taking on more responsibility on the farm. “It’s a lot for 62 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

her to learn and grasp,” Randy says. “It’s so much to take in. She had to learn the accounting part of keeping books, where you get the money from, you’ve got to pay it back and what comes first. It’s an accumulation of things.”

And he’s stressed two important lessons with his daughter. “You’ve got to get the crop in the ground, then get it to the elevator,” Randy says. The next lesson is to pay back what you borrow. “It’s pretty easy to get money, but it’s tough when you have to pay it back.”

Long days on the farm start early. “I get up before daylight and I go to bed about eight o’clock,” says Randy. He’s no fan of

procrastination. Take care of tasks so you don’t have them weighing you down later, he tells his daughter.

Randy remains Victoria’s main source of counsel. “He’s seen things other people haven’t,” she says. “I go to him because he has the experience. He has the knowledge that I can’t download overnight, priceless knowledge.” And for Victoria, working with her father has multiple benefits: “I get to learn from him; I’m carrying on the legacy.”

That doesn’t mean they always agree. “I realize he sees me as an adult, but sometimes as a kid,” Victoria says. “I still go with him and I offer my opinion probably a little more than he would like. I tend to like to do a lot of talking; that’s how I learn.”

The nearly 1,200-acre farm grew corn and soybeans until three years ago when a depressed market price for corn convinced them to concentrate on soybeans, said Victoria, even though she would prefer to rotate the crops.

When she’s planting, Randy’s there to help her load the hoppers. “I can do it all,

but I don’t like dragging turnrows. He likes his turnrows nice and smooth,” Victoria says. She also knows she needs work on pulling and backing up the trailers. There’s plenty of on-the-job experience, like when she had to replant three times because deer love the taste of soybeans.

“I enjoy the fact that I live here in the middle of nowhere,” Victoria says. “I can’t see myself doing anything else. I can’t see myself inside an office, inside all day.”

While she’d like to expand, current market prices and high water conditions hold her in check. “The basic answer is I get my crop in, I get it out and I get all the bills paid,” she says. “To me that is success.”

And while Randy didn’t try to dissuade Victoria when she wanted to make a career out of farming, he did tell her it was a hard life. “We have women in ag around here, and I guarantee you they are pretty tough people to deal with, but there aren’t many, I promise you,” he says.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 63

64 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 65

MACA An Important Delta Asset

By Patrick R. Shepard

66 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

The Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association (MACA) awarded its 2018 scholarships to two Mississippi State University students. Pictured from left: recipient Brittany Lipsey, MACA member Will Price, recipient Jackson Cowart, and MACA President Jim Arrington.

I

t’s been said that the founding members of the Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association (MACA) were visionaries whose revolutionary concepts are comparable to those of early technology entrepreneurs, including Steve Job and Bill Gates.

Charter members such as Mills Rogers, Charlie Craig, Russell Black and Kim Kimbrough saw the need to simplify insect control for the cotton farmer to free him up for other production challenges.

MACA is a professional alliance of independent crop consultants who provide a unique service to Mississippi Delta producers and other Mississippi farmers. Current voting membership in the organization is 64 members.

Retired independent crop consultant Mills Rogers, who was the first MACA President, formerly of Cleveland, Mississippi, notes that when he was a Mississippi State University student, two of his professors, Dr. Ellis and Mr. Wilson, were involved in scouting in the Greenwood area. These two professors taught Rogers and other students about cotton scouting and making insecticide recommendations. “Several of us were very interested and would stay at break time after classes to discuss changes in insecticide chemistries and formulations,” Rogers recalls. “This is how many of us became interested in the cotton consulting business and added similar professions to supplement our income. Several Mississippi State graduates had already gone into the crop consulting business, including Jack Oakman, Ray Applewhite, Bill Harris and Jimmie Walker.”

As the need for cotton consulting increased, several of these early innovators would meet at a Greenwood restaurant to discuss insect issues with worms, boll weevils and other insects. These informal meetings continued for several years, starting in the late ’60s. The early consultants recognized the need for a formal organization so

they formed MACA in 1973 in Greenwood. Members are required to be licensed by the state of Mississippi, and people including Robert McCarty, Mississippi State Plant Board; and Dr. Ross E. Hutchins, head of MSU Department of Entomology and Zoology, helped the consultants organized their association.

MACA Vice President Jeff North, who is based in Madison, Mississippi, adds, “Those early MACA days set the mold for qualifying members to practice agricultural consulting in the state.

MACA members started out as cotton consultants; today, we service all the state’s crops, including cotton, rice, soybeans, corn, peanuts and grain sorghum. In the beginning, we scouted cotton for insects and made insecticide recommendations to our growers. Today, we are now involved in all aspects of crop production, including insect and weed and disease control, irrigation, fertility, soil sampling, harvest aids, and variety/hybrid selection.”

MACA voting members are consultants who are educated, trained continually, experienced, and ethical. Each member has a college degree or higher in a relevant field of study. Many have graduate or doctoral degrees in an agricultural or biological field.

Association members are also required to pass a rigorous state test to become licensed in one or several consulting categories.

Additionally, many members have professional certifications. To remain licensed and certified, each member must attend many hours of continuing education classes between each growing season.

The 46th Annual Conference of the Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association was held in February at the Bost Extension Center, on the Mississippi State University campus. Many allied industry sustaining members are represented at the annual MACA meeting, as well as university/Extension personnel.

The association provides continuing education and helps keep APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 67

The 46th Annual Conference of the Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association was held this past February on the campus of Mississippi State University.

members updated on their educational CEUs. Additionally, MACA works with other regional state consultant organizations and the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) to voice

68 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

legislative and regulatory concerns on local, state and national levels.

“MACA does an excellent job of being at the forefront of helping us be aware of all of the continually changing information,”

North says. “Additionally, we communicate with each other, both within the state and within the region. Members throughout the state contribute to a twice weekly blog during the growing season available on www.msagconsultants.com, commenting on the crop progress, pest concerns and other relevant information.”

Every year during its annual meeting, MACA also awards up to two, $2,000.00 scholarships to a Mississippi State University student majoring in an agricultural discipline at the under-graduate, graduate or post-graduate level. The independent crop consultant association-sponsored scholarship program began in the early 1980s, and is designed to encourage and develop highly talented MSU students in agriculture.

MACA Executive Secretary Carol Bullard keeps all the moving parts of the consultant organization running smoothly.

After nearly fifty years, MACA remains a jewel of the Mississippi Delta, and the rest of the state’s agriculture.

For more information on MACA, go to www.msagconsultants.com

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APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 69

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70 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 71

THE BIRTH OF AN

AIRLINE In a Delta Cotton Field

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AVIATION MUSUEM

By Noel Workman

72 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

Delta’s first General Office, circa 1929.

Delta’s headquarters for crop-dusting and later passenger operations, 1927-1941.

Selman Field, Monroe, Louisiana.

Passengers in front of Travel Air circa 1929.

The well known Mississippi Valley Aircraft combination dust/spray unit installed on a Stearman aircraft, one of the first successful combination units offered to the general public.

Built at Mississippi Valley Aircraft Service in Clarksdale.

Gulf Coast Airlines? Doubtful.

Hill Country Airlines? Never heard of it.

Delta Airlines? Now that’s a different story.

B

ut, if the boll weevil hadn’t spread from Mexico in the 1890s to devastate Delta cotton, there might never have been a Delta Airlines either.

The boll weevil was such a serious economic threat that the U.S. Bureau of Entomology set up a large-scale cotton insect research laboratory in Tallulah, Louisiana, in the early 1920s in a structure built by Standard Oil Company, known today as Scott’s Field and listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The widespread use of calcium arsenate for weevil control had begun. Cotton farmers needed a method to apply the dry powder insecticide faster and more effectively than sprinkling by hand, mule-drawn wagon or tractor. Gasoline-powered engines were soon operating fans to distribute the poison, but application by air

seemed more practical. Beginning in 1918, attempts were made at aerial crop dusting, with the first successful ones three years later.

Dr. B.R. Coad, director of the Tallulah Lab, learned of the success. The Louisiana researcher’s government program, financed

by Delta and Pine Land Company of Scott, Mississippi, began pursuing the possibility of using airplanes to distribute the poison.

“Everybody laughed at the idea and scorned it at first,” Coad later wrote, “but our old friends at Scott still stood behind me. By 1922, we had been able to twist the Army Air Corps out of a short loan of a couple of their old Jenny trainer planes.”

“Perhaps his most significant achievement, especially for Delta planters, was way back on July 19 of 1924 within sight of the Delta and Pine Land headquarters,” wrote B.J. Skelton in a 1965 Delta APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 73

Review article.

“Armyworms were moving into the cotton fields, doing a terrific amount of damage. The farm manager at D&PL was having calcium arsenate spread through the fields by means of a hickory pole attached to a mule’s back and holding a gunny sack full of poison on each end. The animals were driven down the rows at a trot to jolt the insecticide out of the sacks.

“Asked if they thought the poison could be dropped from the air, J.O. Dockery and Allen Scott answered in the affirmative, and they forthwith removed the front seat of the plane, moved the gas tanks and installed a hopper. Everything was soon ready except the question of who would fly the plane. An argument ensued, and Dockery won––by the flip of a coin, he recalled. Anyway, he shortly regretted his insistence for on his first pass at the field, he pulled the lever to release the calcium carbonate and it swooshed up in to his face, nearly choking him.

“However, the young pilots, after some quick work on the hopper, managed to get the bugs out of it, so to speak, and cotton dusting was born,” Skelton wrote.

Soon, partly to show the farmers what had been accomplished, but mainly for publicity to pry appropriations out of Washington, Coad arranged a demonstration on cotton fields at Scott.

“Everything went off well and the whole thing was so new that nobody knew what to expect anyway,” he said.

Collett E. Woolman, a young district agent of the Extension Department of Louisiana State University, an aviation enthusiast and the future principal founder of Delta Air Lines, was a frequent and interested observer.

Woolman and several partners founded Huff Daland Dusters on May 30, 1924, in Macon, Georgia, as the world’s first aerial crop dusting company. A lack of experience and the small amount of cotton in the area resulted in an unsuccessful first season. Dr. Coad suggested the Dusters move to the Ark-La-Miss Delta. In 1925, the

74 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

operation relocated to Monroe, Louisiana. Huff Daland’s eighteen planes were the largest privately owned fleet in the world.

Soon, Huff Daland Dusters perfected the first real crop dusting plane and went into the commercial dusting business, serving Delta cotton growers for many years. From its start as a crop dusting company, the firm branched out to become one of the world’s largest airlines and Coad ultimately became head of its agricultural division.

In 1928, Woolman was looking for investors to buy Huff Daland Dusters. Once he was successful, the group renamed it Delta Air Service, honoring the Delta region it served. D.Y. Smith was its first president and Woolman became vice president and general manager. The original directors of Delta Air Service were C.H. McHenry, Travis Oliver and Malcolm S. Biedenharn.

Beidenharn’s father, Joseph Biedenharn of Vicksburg, is credited with first bottling Coca-Cola in 1894. The family purchased the Coke plant in Monroe in 1912. Joe Biedenharn then bought the plant from the other family members and settled there the following summer with sons Malcolm and Bernard.

“It is my understanding that Bernard, the younger brother, was more involved in Delta than Malcolm. It was a family venture nonetheless,” said cousin Mona Biedenharn of Brandon, in an article in Delta Magazine several years ago. “I know the records show Malcolm as an original director. Regardless, Bernard was the one who became the largest individual stockholder. It may be because Malcolm died in 1950, at which time Bernard may have stepped into his position,” she says.

“The family put up money for Delta three times, first to start the duster, then for the passenger operation, and then again when the mail contract in 1934 was secured,” Bernard said in a November 28, 1982, Washington Post article.

Bernard never sold any of his stock and was the largest individual investor in Delta Airlines. By the 1980s, the Biedenharn Delta

Airline stock was worth more than $20.4 million. This led to several anomalies that puzzled outsiders.

Since Biedenharn lived in Monroe, Delta flights between Dallas and Jackson (the airline’s original route) always stopped in Monroe, whether there was a passenger ticketed for the city or not.

And for years, the annual meeting of Delta Airlines was held in the boardroom of Monroe’s Central Bank. Directors from across America would fly in and the occasional director, armed with the 50,000 or 100,000 shares he owned, would suggest that a company of Delta’s stature should move its annual meeting to a more fashionable location, perhaps New York or San Francisco.

Bernard is described by his cousin Mona as “quiet, humble conservative and the sweetest person you’d ever meet.” Nonetheless, his repeated response to suggestions that the meeting move out of the Monroe bank building was “I own 551,909 shares––and it’s gonna be right here.”

Monroe served as the home of Delta until 1941 when the company relocated to Atlanta to center itself along its new route network that now stretched to Chicago, Miami and New Orleans.

Delta maintained mainline jet service to Monroe until 2002 despite the city’s small size. Monroe’s Regional Airport’s logo is a “Delta” symbol and bears the statement “Birthplace of Delta Air Lines” at the entrance and on its website. Monroe is also the site of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant, the source of Biedenharn’s wealth.

Delta crop dusting operations continued until 1966, but new undertakings began in 1928, with the purchase of three fivepassenger, 90-mile-per-hour Travel Air monoplanes. On June 17, 1929, Delta Air Service operated its first passenger flight over a route that stretched from Dallas to Jackson with stops in Shreveport and Monroe. As additional planes were delivered from the factory, service was extended eastward to Birmingham and westward to Fort Worth.

Delta’s new activity represented a bold financial venture since the

route was operated without benefit of a mail contract, and revenue from airmail was needed to supplement passenger operation expenses. Service began to Atlanta in 1930, but lack of a contract to carry mail forced suspension of passenger service. That year the company was renamed Delta Air Corporation.

In 1934, Delta had an opportunity to win back the route it had pioneered when the U.S. Post Office canceled all airmail contracts and called for new bids. Delta’s bid won the contract for Air Mail Route 24 route from Fort Worth to Charleston, South Carolina, via Atlanta. Delta’s first airmail flight on July 4, 1934, was flown in a Stinson T aircraft. This plane was capable of carrying seven passengers and the mail at speeds of 100 miles per hour. Delta restarted passenger service a month later with a route from Charleston to Fort Worth, with stops in Columbia, Augusta, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Meridian along the way. From this point Delta’s climb to prominence in air transportation was firmly established.

Airlines come and airlines go, but Delta has somehow been able to weather the storm. Following World War Two, Delta acquired Chicago and Southern Air Lines, Northeast Airlines and Western Airlines. In 1991, Delta purchased substantially all of Pan Am’s transatlantic routes plus the Pan Am Shuttle, the largest acquisition of flights in airline history. Delta also absorbed Northwest Airlines to become the world’s largest. Delta Connection carriers now offers service to hundreds of destinations in over fifty countries Not bad for a business that began dusting calcium arsenate on Delta cotton fields.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 75

76 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 77

RECIPES BEEF AND BLUE CHEESE TACOS 2 medium red onions, cut into ¼ inch slices 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ teaspoon salt, divided 1 beef top sirloin steak (1½ lbs) ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1 1 ¼ 12 1

tablespoon brown sugar tablespoon balsamic vinegar garlic clove, minced teaspoon pepper flour tortillas (6 inches) warmed cup crumbled blue cheese

Brush onions with oil; sprinkle ¼ teaspoon salt. Sprinkle steak with remaining salt. Grill onions and steak, covered, over medium heat until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium 140°; medium-well, 145°), and onions are tender, 4-6 minutes per side. Let steak and onions stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic and pepper. Halve onion slices’ cut steak thinkly across grain. Add onions and steak to soy mixture; toss to coat. Serve in tortillas with blue cheese.

WARM GERMAN POTATO SALAD 3 ⅓ 2 1 ½

lbs small red potatoes cup canola oil tablespoons champagne vinegar teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

½ 2 1 6 1

English cucumber, very thinly sliced celery ribs, thinly sliced smal onion, chopped bacon strips, cooked and crumbled tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 18-21 minutes. Drain; cool slightly. Peel and thinly slice. Whisk oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add potatoes; toss to coat. Add remaining ingredients; toss to combine. Serve warm.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN FAJITA SALAD 3 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon each ground cumin, seasoned salt and pepper ½ teaspoon each white pepper, ground chipotle pepper and paprika ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 cup chicken broth 9 cups torn romaine

optional toppings: sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped tomato, sliced green onions and ranch salad dressing Mix seasonings; rub over chicken. Place in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add broth. Cook, covered, on low 3-4 hours or until chicken is tender.

Remove chicken; cool slightly. Shred with two forks. Serve over romaine; top as desired.

78 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY PUNCHBOWLE TRIFLE 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size) 1 quart fresh whole strawberries, sliced 1 carton (13-1/2 ounces) strawberry glaze

2 cartons (12 ounces each) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 1 cup chocolate frosting shaved chocolate, optional

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using a 13x9-in. baking pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Cut cake into 1-in. cubes. Place half of the cubes in a 6-qt. glass punch bowl. Top with half of the sliced strawberries; drizzle with half of the strawberry glaze. Spread with 3-1/2 cups whipped topping.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat frosting on high for 20-30 seconds or until pourable, stirring often; cool slightly. Drizzle half over the whipped topping. Repeat layers of cake, berries, glaze and whipped topping. If desired, drizzle with remaining frosting and sprinkle with shaved chocolate.

COCOCUT CHICKEN & SHRIMP WITH MAUI MUSTARD 1 1 1 1 1 2½ 1¼

cup all-purpose flour cup lime-flavored seltzer water teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper cups sweetened shredded coconut cups panko bread crumbs

1 pound uncooked shrimp (30-40 per pound), peeled and deveined 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 ouces each), cut into ¾-inch cubes oil for deep-fat frying salt and pepper to taste, optional

MAUI MUSTARD 1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, well drained ½ cup red pepper jelly 3 tablespoons stone-ground mustard

STRAWBERRY MIMOSA 7 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 3 cups orange juice 4 cups champagne, chilled Place half of the strawberries and orange juice in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Press through a fine mesh strainer. Repeat with remaining strawberries and orange juice. Pour a scant ⅔ cup strawberry mixture into each champagne flute or wine glass. Top with about ⅓ cup champagne. If desired, serve with a strawberry and an orange slice. Garnish with additional strawberry and orange slices.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together first five ingredients. In another shallow bowl, combine coconut and panko. Dip shrimp in batter to coat. Dip in coconut mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Repeat with chicken.

In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°. Fry shrimp, a few at a time, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with chicken. If desired, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

For mustard, mix together pineapple, pepper jelly and stone-ground mustard. Combine shrimp and chicken; serve with Maui mustard.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 79

FARMER’S

BEST FRIEND IKE

Blair Poe

Ike loves to spend the long farming days in the cab of a tractor.

GUNNER

Marcus Rushing Gunner never misses the opportunity to hang out with Marcus on the farm.

GAUGE

Joshua Oakes

Gauge loves to farm with his daddy!

TEX THE CATAHOULA Adam Baker

Tex loves to play in the water while his owner irrigates rice.

80 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

CASH

Andrew Belvedresi Cash hangs out in the combine during harvest season.

OAKLEY

BLUE

Bryce Chenault

Jacob Fullen

Oakley loves to ride on any farm equipment that in cranked on Chenault Farms.

Blue loves to ride in the truck around the farm with his owner.

ROJO

Billy Tabb Rojo is a great hunting dog and farm companion!

KATIE & MIA John Read

MARLEY

Zac Tollison

The girls watching over their Granddaddy

Marley is always keeping an eye on the farm for Zac.

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 81

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82 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 83

OUT & ABOUT

6th Annual Cleveland Farm Toy Show at Cleveland Bolivar County Ag Expo on January 25-26

Robert Denson of West Memphis and his R/C crew showing off some of their remote controls.

Pedal racing

Enjoying the animals and participants of the 4-H livestock show in conjunction with the Toy Show

Getting ready for the pedal Tractor Races

3-4 year old girl winner Eva Callow

3-4 year old boy winner Kaid Camponova

5-6 year old girl Ava Winters

10-12 year old winner David Taylor

A partial overview of what the Cleveland Toy Show has to offer

Some detailed equipment all hand built by Wayne Crook of Marshall Missouri

84 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

OUT & ABOUT

2019 Delta Ag Expo at Cleveland Bolivar County Ag Expo on January 16-17

Ken Pate, Hayes LTI

Tres Baswell, Matt Rich and Bobby Burns, Sayle Oil

Mike Myers and Charles Boyer, Gresham Petroleum

Chuck Williamson, Dusty Ward, Chris Lofton and Chris Hardman, Sanders

Matthew Mullins, Ag Resource Management

Laura Giaccaglia and Mark Silva, Delta Rice Promotions, Inc.

Kenny Jones and Terry Gibbs, Delta Group

Robert Smith and Nash Knighton, Farmers Grain Terminal

Jeff Mosley, RiceTec

Steele Robbins, Melinda Andrews, Megan Cunningham and Barry Corely, Mississippi Delta Community College

Scott Holder, Robert Young, Ryan Mayfield, Hillary Ball, Health Ashmore, Helena

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 85

OUT & ABOUT

Grain Bin Simulator and Rescue Training at the US National Guard Armory in Drew on February 6

First responders preparing to preform a simulated rescue.

Simulated rescue of extracting grain from around victim.

Local farmers participating in the lecture part of the grain bin rescue class.

Jimmy Fly, Sheriff of Tallahatchie County, serves as victim in the grain bin rescue simulation for local farmers.

Butch Jenkins and first responders preparing the meal sponsored by the Ruleville Fire Department.

LSR fireman from Sunflower County simulating the K12 saw which is used to cut holes in grain bins to remove grain.

Safety Director for Mississippi Farm Bureau, John Hubbard, presents the lecture part of the class.

Matt McNutt talks with Minor Norman, a first responder from Madison County Fire Services, prior to the simulated rescue.

First responders from Sunflower, Bolivar, Madison, Tallahatchie and Coahoma counties watch a rescue a man trapped in a grain bin.

86 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

LONG BEFORE THE CROPS TAKE ROOT, farmers rely on knowledge, experience, and science to choose the right seed to plant.

With every growing season, REV® Brand Seeds helps farmers get revved up for the challenges that each new year brings.

REV® brand corn hybrids revolutionize the way you farm with

some of the strongest seed genetics engineered for Southern

soil. If the South’s your home, and farming’s your life, make REV® brand your seed.

REV® BRAND SEEDS. SEED OF THE SOUTH. Contact your REV® brand seeds dealer for availability and performance data.

800-551-4852 www.revbrandseeds.com ®,TM,SM Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Dow AgroSciences, or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. REV® brand seeds are distributed by Terral Seed. © 2019 Terral Seed

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 87

TOTAL INTERMODAL FACILITY

SERVICE IS OUR STRENGTH

ROSEDALE - BOLIVAR COUNTY PORT TERMINAL

MILE 585 A.H.P. (15 MILES SOUTH OF ARKANSAS WATERWAY)  20,000 Sq. Ft. Humidity Controlled Warehouse  10+ Acres Open-Air Storage  10,000 to 30,000 lb. Fork Lifts  150 Ton Crane

 Harbor & Fleeting Services  4 Certified Truck Scales  Favorable Industrial Climate  3 Outbound Systems (Truck to Barge)

 Bulk Truck Loading Hopper  3.3 Mile Long Slack Water Harbor

 2 Inbound Systems (Barge to Truck)

Several Industrial Sites Available on Water or Adjacent Industrial Park Rosedale-Bolivar County Port Commission Robert Maxwell, Port Director Rosedale, MS 38769 662.759.6212  info@portofrosedale.com www.portofrosedale.com

88 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019

VISIT OUR ONLINE INTERACTIVE MAP

APRIL 2019 • Delta Ag Journal • 89

For more information regarding ARROZ 80 contact Raymat Crop Science • 440 Boulder Court, Ste. 300 Pleasanton, CA 94566 USA 925.249.9988 Email: info@raymat.com ARROZ 80® is a registered trademark of Raymat Crop Science, Inc. ©2019 Raymat Crop Science, Inc.

90 • Delta Ag Journal • APRIL 2019