Moores Named Washington County Farm Family Of The Year

LINCOLN -- Allen Moore with Moore Valley Farms is a third generation farmer but he is farming differently than his parents and grandparents.

About six years ago, Moore sold all his cattle and began growing row crops full-time, with soybeans his main crop.

"It's a challenge and that's more of an incentive to do it," Moore said.

Moore, his wife Cindy, and three sons were named the 2017 Washington County Farm Family of the Year. The couple's oldest son, Cameron Harrison, is 15. Their youngest boys are Kipton Moore, 6, and Hudson Moore, age 2.

Moore, 40, grew up on a cattle and chicken farm in Lincoln and said he always knew he wanted to stay in the farming business.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1994, Moore worked in the water well industry and then formed a partnership to export poultry litter out of the local watersheds to other farm land. This partnership dissolved and Moore began farming full-time.

He purchased about 27 acres adjacent to his parent's farm in 2000 and now farms more than 700 acres located near Lincoln and Prairie Grove. His farm in Lincoln is just off U.S. 62, or East Pridemore Drive, next to Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Moore Valley Farms has 515 acres of soybeans and 50 acres of field corn. Moore uses another 130 acres for hay and grows bermuda grass for bale hay on 30 acres.

Moore is one of a few farmers in Washington County growing row crops and said he changed from livestock to row crops for several reasons.

Northwest Arkansas already has plenty of cattle and chicken farms and the population growth in the area has caused the cost of land to increase, he said. In addition, growing row crops is not as time consuming and allows him more time to be with his family, especially for vacations away from the farm.

"Before, we always had mouths to feed and would have to leave that responsibility with someone else," he said.

Along with row crops, Moore also concentrates on ways to help the environment through his management practices. He does not till on hills when planting soil beans to prevent erosion. He depends on "mother nature," not man-made irrigation, to water his crops.

He supports the no-till practice, he said, to conserve the land for his children and his grandchildren.

"We've got to take care of our environment," Moore said. "It's the right thing to do."

His father and brother have six chicken houses nearby and the two families work together in other conservation ways. Straw from Moore's wheat hay is used as bedding in his father's broiler houses. In turn, this provides a litter with better organic matter. The litter is then used as fertilizer for Moore's soybeans and corn crops.

"Recycling saves a lot of costs on both operations," Moore said.

While Cindy Moore, 34, did not grow up on a farm, she did live in the country and would show pigs at the county fair. Cindy said she was active with 4H and FFA growing up and that has not changed. Her full-time job is working for Arvest Bank in West Fork as a personal banker/loan officer.

The family is involved with Washington County Fair, the State Fair and other agricultural organizations. Cameron and Kipton show rabbits and pigs and Hudson is eagerly waiting his turn to be in the show ring. All three boys care for their animals.

The Washington County Farm Family of the Year is sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau and a number of other agricultural services. A selection committee considers several farms each year when awarding the honor.

The Moores next will be considered for District Farm Family of the Year and if selected on that level, will qualify for Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.

Burni Kurz, Washington County extension agent, said the selection committee looks at a number of factors when choosing Farm Family of the Year.

The Moore's farm does not just focus on one product, Burz said, but is diversified.

"It's not just one entity but there are several different entities within the farm," Burz said.

In addition, Allen and Cindy Moore are involved in the community and several agricultural organizations. The children are active with 4H, the county fair and FFA.

"There are several pieces the committee looks at," Kurz said.

Allen Moore's involvement includes being a member of the Washington County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, County Fair Board and Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers.

Cindy's activities include Washington County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, West Fork High School Junior Bank Board sponsor, Hogeye 4H leader and Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers.

Cameron is a member of the West Fork FFA and is club president of Hogeye 4H. Kipton is a member of Hogeye 4H.

Moore said that being named Farm Family of the Year is a recognition that makes him proud of what he does.

The program promotes farms that are operated by families, Moore said, not farms with 50,000 or more acres.

"We want everyone to know agriculture is safe. What is grown locally is safe to eat and safe to consume," Moore said.