Three generations have owned this farm in the Springhill Community of Johnson County, established in 1922. The land was used in the early years for peach orchards, cattle farming, cotton and timber. The farm is now owned by Dean Edwards and his wife Mary, and is used primarily for cattle farming, timber and wildlife conservation.

Dean’ s great-grandfather, James Edwards, came to Arkansas from Holly Springs, North Carolina, in 1849. His son, Rufus Edwards, had two sons, W. T and R. C. Edwards. W. T. bought parcels of land in Johnson County, eventually selling them to his younger brother, R. C. and his wife Vinnie, and R. C.’ s father-in-law, Will Marsh. Eventually, Marsh sold the last 40 acres to R. C. and Vinnie in 1939, making the farm 200 acres in all. R. C. and Vinnie deeded the 200-acre farm to their only child, Dean Edwards, in the 1970s.

R. C. and Vinnie grew cotton, corn and fruit trees on the farm, including three peach orchards, where they raised Elberta freestone peaches. The peaches ripened in July and they traveled well. People came from Missouri in bob trucks to buy the peaches after they were defuzzed, sized and ring-packed in bushel baskets. The people who picked the peaches were paid 15 cents an hour and arrived at the orchard on foot and on horseback, in wagons and pickup trucks. Young Dean, who was about 12 years old, kept the books and sometimes drove a pickup truck to bring peaches to the peach shed.

R. C. and other upland Johnson County famers also grew some cotton, but boll weevils became such a problem in the 1940s that farmers quite raising cotton. R. C. continued to raise cattle on the farm until his death in 1989.

Dean married Mary McKenzie in 1957. Dean earned his BS and MS degrees from the University of Arkansas, served in the military

and sold agrochemicals in the South. Later, he became director of the North Little Rock Health Department. Mary was a home agent with the extension service for about three years before having three sons, John, Jim and Bob. She later taught school for 30 years before retirement.

As a young boy, Dean liked to invite friends to possum hunt at night. He always had hunting dogs. He sold the hides from possum, mink, coon, and occasionally, fox. Dean, now age 94, and Mary, age 92, currently live in North Little Rock, but they still spend time at the farm with family members. Dean still owns the 200-acre farm and has purchased some 664 acres nearby. He currently runs about 120 cattle on the 664 acres, along with farming some timber. Dean lets the woman who takes care of his cows have 115 acres for free in exchange for feeding and caring for the cows. Dean still raises a garden and Mary cans and freezes fruits and vegetables. Both are active at All Souls Church in Scott, and Mary teaches the mature ladies Sunday school class.

“ Our growing up in rural Arkansas has kept us grounded,” Dean said.“ We value the farmers and land that contribute to the health of our country.”

Both Dean and Mary grew up on farms, he in Johnson County and she in Prairie County.

“ There is some truth to the saying,‘ You

can take a kid out of the country, but you can’ t take the country out of a kid,’” Dean continued.“ Farm life is not easy, physically or mentally. We have a great appreciation for farmers and the Century Farm program provides an awareness to the nation about farming and farm families.”

Mary has witnesses firsthand the difference that technology has made on the farm.

“ As a child, our fields were plowed using mules to pull plows with farmers guiding them. Cows were milked by hand. Today, tractors and other equipment are run by the farmer using computers and electronics. Some pieces of equipment are so large they look like dinosaurs. Machines milk the cows.”

Both Dean and Mary consider caring for the land a privilege and a responsibility.

“ Sitting on the front porch of the farmhouse, one can perhaps spot a pileated woodpecker in an old tree, take walks and reflect on God’ s creation, go fishing in one of the farm ponds,” Mary said.“ An ongoing responsibility is thinking and planning for the best use and practices for the land.”

To make it in farming, Dean said,“ I think people have to have a love and appreciation for farm life.”

He offers this advice to young people:“ Look at your goals and plans to get there. Consider your wants and needs carefully. If you don’ t mind hard physical work, long hours and can mentally deal with challenges

well, you might like farming.”

“ If you love being outdoors in nature and all the wonderful experiences that go with it, you might like farming,” Mary added.“ There is nothing like seeing a newborn calf take its first wobbly steps or a baby chick peck open an egg and hatch out. I love spotting the many tiny wildflowers that are easily overlooked, yet stunning.”

Of course, they noted that if the family farm owners have no children to take over the land, it may be sold to large corporations. Young people who want to farm but have no land will need access to a money supply.

“ Land is too expensive for many to be able to start farming,” Mary said, and added another concern.“ Our Arkansas farmers, especially Northwest and Southeast Arkansas farmers, are very concerned about tariffs. The current administration it seems, is leaving the door open for countries who have been buying from us – example: China, who has been buying soybeans from us – to now start buying from countries like Brazil.”

Dean and Mary are honored to be named a Century Farm and stress the importance of agriculture to the state and the nation.“ Agriculture is and has been the lifeblood of this state. We need to get this across to all our people. The Century Farm program is one way to educate the public about those who have contributed so much for the last 100 years.”