When the Baxter County Fair kicks off Tuesday, some 1,000 residents from across the Twin Lakes Area will have their fruits, vegetables, and other field crops on display, hoping to win best of show. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded for livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and swine, however the displays represent something deeper than a mere competition.
Farming and ranching come from a long tradition in Baxter County and across the Ozarks, dating back to the 1800’s. Although data indicates the number of farms and ranches dwindled from 572 in 2002 to 561 in 2012, Baxter County contributes a significant amount of agriculture to the state and is a vital component of Arkansas’ economy.
Mark Keaton, Baxter County Cooperative Extension Service Staff Chair, says the latest information he gathered shows farm revenue in Baxter County at $27.6 million annually.
According to 2012 census data from a 2015 publication of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension, Baxter County covers an area of almost 355,000 acres with the average farm covering 164 acres. There are approximately 92,000 acres of farmland with about 11,000 acres harvested yielding a market value of $20.4 million in agricultural products.
According to the report, turkeys are at the top of the livestock category in Baxter County with an inventory of just over 140,000 and 445,000 sold. Calves and cattle inventoried at almost 17,000, with over 12,000 sold.
Agricultural employment across all industries locally accounts for 352 jobs. The agricultural value added equates to $11 million with total farm revenue, including all crops livestock and other farm income, at almost $28 million.
Baxter County agriculture operations come in various sizes, including the 24-acre Mountain Home Berry Farm operated by John and Judy Catlin for the past 15 years. While the Berry Farm has allowed the Catlins to carve out a living in an old fashioned setting in which to raise their now grown son and daughter, John says it continues to provide them an opportunity to give to the community.
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Opening day for the fall festival at the Berry Farm is September 22.Local cattle rancher Bob Bodenhamer says he and his brother Buster have been raising cattle for years. They have a small headcount but are able to supplement their income.
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The Catlins and the Bodenhamers are among nearly 281,000 Arkansas workers or 17 percent of the state’s residents employed in agricultural production and processing.The total value added as a result of agricultural production and processing in the state is approximately $20.1 billion dollars.
Arkansas ranks in the top 25 states in the production of agricultural commodities. Arkansas’ production of rice is number one in the
United States. Number two is broilers, and tied for third in the nation is catfish and cotton.
Whether it’s a large business, like Mountain Home Berry Farm, or a smaller operation like the Bodenhamer’s, Salute to Service, sponsored by Marion County Farm Bureau; Orscheln Farm & Home in Mountain Home and Flippin; Danny Porter of Century 21 LeMac Realty; Powell Feed Stores of Mountain Home in Flippin and Yellville;Baxter County Abstract; and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot, honors all area farmers, ranchers and all agriculturists across the Twin Lakes Area for their service, dedication and contributions to our community.
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