2023 Farm Family Edition

The T. J. and Robin English family is this year’s Prairie County Farm Family of the Year. The family lives in Des Arc and farms land in the Hickory Plains area.

T. J. says that he always wanted to be a farmer. His family moved to Des Arc when he was in the 5th grade, and although is parents had both grown up in farm families, his father actually came to Des Arc to manage a catfish farm. “I would go with him everyday, watching

his job, seeing the local farmers running their businesses, and asking a lot of questions,” T. J. says. “I always knew that I wanted to farm.”

T. J. and his dad connected with a local farmer and the young T. J. got a chance to work on a real farm. “For the remainder of my school years, I did what I needed to at school, but my classroom was the farm,” T. J. says. “I could not wait to get out there everyday.”

T. J. ended up working for that farmer for 7

years, riding his fourwheeler to work when his dad didn’t drop him off. He was able to pick up 200 acres to farm on his own from another farmer, and the farmer he was working for allowed him to keep working and start his own operation at the same time. Once he had acquired 500 hundred acres, T. J. launched out on his own. “I will be forever grateful for the farmers and family members that have poured in to me over these years,” T. J. says.

unning a f amily f arm is a f ull time o p eration

In the beginning stages of the English farm operation, they were able to participate in many NRCS programs under the Beginning Farmer Program. That allowed them to level ground and put in tail water ditches, underground pipelines, and drop pipes to keep erosion down at the ditches.

The pipe planner from Delta Plastics has been a game changer for the family’s irrigation system. The computer program allowed T. J. to enter flow rates and furrow elevation data, producing detailed plans for hole size and pipe grades. Iriigation is now far less wasteful and is more efficient.

Starting an operation on his own was challenging, and obtaining funding for equipment was by far the most difficult part. “FSA had programs that allowed me the opportunity to get started and provided me with opportunities

that I otherwwisewwould not have had,” T. J. says.

Learning the business side of farming, or “desk farming” as Robin calls it, has also been challenging. But T. J. says that he has learned a lot and that he is learning more each day.

There have been a few bad years to overcome T.

J. admits, but this has created resilience, more learning opportunities, and new perspectives on how to manage the farming operation. “It has built our faith in the Lord more and more,” T. J. says. “For the day to day operation, I am constantly trying to do less tillage wwith row crops by rotating soybeans and corn to reduce cost and erosion.

Presently, the farm contains 600 acres of irrigated corn, 1200 acres of irrigated soybeans, and 100 acres of irrigated rice. For the 2023 season, Hurley and

Associates will do all of the crop marketing.

Prior to this, the family marketed, booked, and sold all of the farm’s inventory.

“My wife, Robin, helps the most when she brings lunches and or dinner to the field while we are planting or harvesting.” When she is not working, she often gets to help move from farm to farm. “Robin is the family scheduler,” T. J. says. “She keeps up with all of our family events and makes sure we are all cared for.”

T. J. says that he wants to transition from a primarily rent-based farming operation to ownership. He has been able to acquire one farm for the partnership so far.

“We are always eager to expand our operation,”

T. J. says. “Adding grain bins, keeping excellent employees, and being the best stewards of the things we are blessed with drive the heart of English Family Farms.”

Keeping a farm running smoothly calls for all hands on deck.

Learning the business side of farming, or “desk farming” as Robin calls it, has also been challenging. But T. J. says that he has learned a lot and that he is learning more each day. There have been a few bad years to overcome T. J. admits, but this has created resilience, more learning opportunities, and new perspectives on how to manage the farming operation. “It has built our faith in the Lord more and more,” T. J. says. “For

the day to day operation, I am constantly trying to do less tillage wwith row crops by rotating soybeans and corn to reduce cost and erosion.

Presently, the farm contains 600 acres of irrigated corn, 1200 acres of irrigated soybeans, and 100 acres of irrigated rice. For the 2023 season, Hurley and Associates will do all of the crop marketing.

Prior to this, the family marketed, booked, and sold all of the farm’s

inventory.

T. J. says that he wants to transition from a primarily rent-based farming operation to ownership. He has been able to acquire one farm for the partnership so far.

“We are always eager to expand our operation,”

T. J. says. “Adding grain bins, keeping excellent employees, and being the best stewards of the things we are blessed with drive the heart of English Family Farms.

(Ruth Corley photos.)

The English family focuses on education and farming

Kids and Family Involvement

The English family has three boys who have very busy schedules. The oldest son, Braeden, will be in the 10th grade at Des Arc High School and is in honors classes. He is a top reader, and he participates in football, basketball, and track.

Braeden just finished his most successful track season, helping Des Arc win first in Junior High District, 4th in Senior High District, and qualifying for three separate events in the Senior High State Track Meet where he finished in the top 10 in all

events. Masen, the middle child, is six years old and will be in 1st grade at Des Arc Elementary. He loves all things outdoors. He is very smart and excels in reading and writing. He’s also great with numbers. Masen just started playing 8 and under baseball, and he gets better every day.

“His favorite state is being dirty,” T.

J. says. “Whether he is on the farm or on the baseball field, he finds the dirt!” Masen is T. J.’s right hand man on the farm. “He loves it all, especially walking the polypipe, playing in the water, and seeing that

dirt become mud,” according to his dad.

Robin teaches history at Des Arc High School. Last year was her first year at DAHS, but her 22nd year as a teacher. She has coached students in the National History Day Competition, and has been a yearbook sponsor. She has also taken students on international educational trips throughout her career. In addition to history, Robin has also taught a College and Career Readiness class and served as a school counselor. She will be teaching this same curriculum at DAHS this fall.

A favorite from the English family kitchen

(TJ's) Mimi's Spaghetti Sauce

6 lbs. ground beef

1 1/2 cups of onion

1 cup celery

1 tbs. garlic salt

1 tbs. parsley flakes

1 tbs. salt

2 tbs. pepper

1 1/2 tbs. Italian seasoning

4 cans (12 oz) of tomato paste

3 cans (15 oz) of tomato sauce

Add water to create desired consistency

Brown beef. Drain. Mix beef and all other ingredients.

We love to divide this sauce out and freeze it. It makes for a quick, delicious meal in busy seasons. TJ's mom fixes this a lot and always has spaghetti ready for the grandkids!

Getting ready to eat some delicious spaghetti.

The family checks out the corn crop which has gotten a lot of rain this year.

Faith, family, community, and a belief in service

The English family is very active in the Des Arc community and in the church. T. J. has been on the Des Arc School Board since 2022, and he serves on the Des Arc Parks and

Recreation Council. The family attends the First Baptist Church in Des Arc, where T. J. has been a deacon since 2012. He has also taught the senior boys Sunday

School class since 2011, and has been the men’s Bible Study leader since 2018. He has been the Men’s Prayer Breakfast coordinator for over 10 years and has been on

the Mission Leadership Team for over 10 years.

T. J. has been a messenger to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention for many years, as well. Robin has been the

Youth Girls Sunday School teacher since 2014, is the Women on Missions chair, and also serves as the children’s church coordinator. Braeden is also very

active in the church, where he a member of the Junior High Boys Sunday School class. He also excels in the church’s Youth Bible Bowl class. (Ruth Corley pictures.)