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James and Ashton Dixon moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2021 to take advantage of a farm that would allow them to have a larger poultry flock.
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Starting a Farm By Terry Ropp
Couple relocates so they can expand their operation
Sometimes grandparents are ing broiler eggs from the state as part of the beacons shining light down a program to inspire children to particcareer paths. Grandparents were ipate in the showing with one of those that beacon for both James and Ashton chickens living for a surprising 10 years. Dixon of Hindsville, Ark. One of Ashton’s favorite activities James’ grandparents Bobby and Joyce during her young years was to watch Hanson had a farm very near the young chickens hatch in an incubator. boy’s home in Magnolia, Ark. They James and Ashton lived in the same raised chickens and cattle, and 50 years small town, went to the same school later are still raising chickens. James was and their families knew each other. one of a set of twins and clearly remem- However, the couple never met because bers one Christmas when his grandpar- Ashton was six years younger. They ents took them to an unused chicken have now been married for three years. house to see newborn twin calves. The James purchased his first farm in 2013 coincidence charmed young James. in Magnolia, a five-house Tyson chickThough he never became attached to en farm on 40 acres. Choices were limthe calves and they were sold at auc- ited, but James knew he wanted to extion as usual, his grandfather’s chickens pand someday in the future and selected caught the young boy’s fancy rather a farm with more recently built houses. than cattle. When the time for expansion came, Similarly, Ashton was James discovered a policy in raised in Magnolia and lived the Hope Cooperative that Hindsville, Ark. near her grandparents Allen capped flock size at 120,000, and Betty Vann where they and he was already slightly raised chickens in coops, as above that limit. He decided well as rabbits. Ashton joined expansion was more important 4-H and showed chickens. than location, and the couple She remembers once receivdecided on Northwest Arkansas Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
because a more diverse environment so their children would be prepared for multiple careers anywhere from New York City to rural America. As a result, James reached out to Dan Danschwiender, owner of Twin Oaks Realty, a nationwide company. Dan then put him in touch with Northwest Arkansas agent Clay Osbon from Huntsville. “Clay found a 44-acre farm with six houses in Hindsville already under contract with George’s for us,” James said. “Once again, a critical factor was newer houses. These began production in 2014 and met that criterion. Now my flocks run 168,000 and I hope to expand again sometime in the future.” Taking advantage of a bonus resulting from the recent nursing shortage, Ashton moved to the region before James in January 2021 to work at a surgical center near Washington Regional Hospital. She soon shifted to the hospital because the need was so great. James joined Ashton in March when the couple moved into their home on the property. James worked the first flock by himself but discovered he FEBRUARY 14, 2022
