Cleburne County couple, son named Farm Family of the Year

By Carol Rolf

LITTLE ROCK — It’s been a good year for Lance Reynolds of Quitman.

He just finished his first term as a state representative in the Arkansas Legislature and most recently, he and his family were named 2008 Cleburne County Farm Family of the Year.

“We were surprised by the honor of being named Farm Family of the Year,” Reynolds said. “It seems like everything’s turned our way from the time of the election until now. It’s been pretty rewarding.” His family includes his wife, Summer, and 8-year-old son, Roe.

The family raises about 700 acres of hay and 450 head of cattle. They have been farming for eight years, renting 1,250 acres of land and owning 1,250acres. They are working on cross-fencing their pastures to improve their farming operation.

Reynolds noted two main areas of concern on his farm -the high cost of fertilizer and fuel. He added that they try to protect the environment as they farm.

“Since we have begun farming, we have fenced out all the woods and some streams,” he said. “We have installed two windmills that water the ponds. Solar panels have been installed to supply energy to our electrical fencing. Sprigging has been added to help with the erosion. We have also planted 50 acres of pine trees.” Reynolds, a son of Johnny and Kay Reynolds of Greenbrier, grew up on afarm. He is a graduate of Greenbrier High School. His father is a retired game warden for Faulkner County.

Summer Reynolds also grew up on a farm. She is a daughter of T.J. and Alana Shaw of Quitman and a graduate of Quitman High School.

Recalling how they started farming, Reynolds said, “My wife raised a calf on a bottle, and from there we began to purchase more cattle. That has grown into the farm that we now have.”

Reynolds, who also is a contractor and a developer, served as a Quitman city alderman in 1999 and mayor of Quitman from 2001-2006. He is a member of the Cleburne County Cattlemen’s Association and the Cleburne County Baptist HealthFoundation. He serves as a state representative for District 59, which includes Cleburne County and part of White County. He is also a member of the White River Planning and Development District.

Summer Reynolds is active in 4-H activities, serving as a 4-H leader for the Quitman Show Team 4-H Club, and a member of the 4-H Leaders Association of Cleburne County. She is also a member of the Cleburne County Fair board of directors and superintendent for the poultry and rabbit barn at the county fair. She is also a baseball coach.

Their son, Roe, is a member of the Quitman Show Team 4-H Club. He participates in the local county fair, showing goats, chickens and rabbits. He will be a third-grade student at Quitman Elementary School in the fall.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 125, 129 on 07/13/2008