2024 Washington County
June 2024
2024 Farm Family Salute 29
2024 Washington County
Farm Family
Photos by Blake Sutton
By Randy Rice
Four miles north of Prairie Grove you will find this year’ s Washington County Farm Family of the Year, Willow Springs Ranch. Larry and BeAnn Walker have been running the family farm for 53 years, since 1971.
“ We are actually considered both ranchers and farmers,” Larry said.“ Ranchers raise livestock and farmers
Willow Springs Ranch Working the land for over 50 years
grow crops. As ranchers, we raise both cattle and horses. As farmers, we grow corn, wheat, straw, Bermuda and fescue hay. We sell all of the steers and most of the heifers, other than those kept for replacement cows.”
The Walkers use most of the corn and hay to feed their cattle and sell extra corn if they have a bumper crop. They also sell the straw from the wheat after it is harvested.
“ We have working cow dogs that we use with the horses to move cattle to different fields or bring in to the corrals for vaccinations and during calving seasons,” BeAnn said.“ Between the ranching part and the farming part, we stay busy working all year long. And we love that about both ranching and farming.”
When the Walkers reflect on the benefits of raising a family on the farm, at the top of the list is that it taught their three sons the value of hard work and working together. The Walker boys include twins Doug and Brian, who are now 56, and their brother Eric, who is 49. They were active participants in the farm growing up.
“ The value of seeing mom and dad both working to make ends meet, and seeing the love they have for each other and for the sons they were blessed with,