Farm Family Salute

2022 Farm Family Salute 8 June 2022 By Randy Rice Boone County's Farm Family of the Year hails from Harrison. Josh and Amber Thomason have been farming and ranching for 22 years. Starting out owning 40 acres and renting 30, today they own 360 acres and rent 240 acres, all of which is located about 7 miles south of Harrison. "We just love the lifestyle," Josh began. "There is no better way to teach kids responsibility, compassion, and work ethic than on a farm." The Thomason Farm grows Bermuda grass hay. They yield 600 bales a year. On the livestock side, there are 200 head of cattle, eight bulls and five horses. "We calve commercial calves to wean and sell each fall and spring," Josh said. "We also recently started a recip program, calving embryo transfers for outside entities. Most of these are raised to be show calves for 4-H and FFA proj- ects in the junior livestock industry. Our registered herd has grown significantly. We have used AI practices to better our genetics in our registered cattle. We are always looking for ways to improve the health and longevity of our herds." The Thomasons have worked hard to provide clean water throughout their ranch and rented properties. "We started utilizing automatic tire waterers several years ago," Josh explained. "We have a well at the house that has the availability to water the whole homestead. We also have spring fed ponds to other parts of the ranch. The clean water is important to us for production and growth. We also utilize rotational grazing as much as possible and transplant trees when we can for better growth and shade devel- opment." Like many of the Farm Family of the Year recipients, Josh got into the farming life as a boy. "My grandfather had regis- tered cattle when I was a young boy," he said. "I always desired to be in the coun- try raising and growing things. After I graduated the University of Arkansas with an Ag Business degree, I was able to come home and slowly build that plan by purchasing a house and 30 acres." Josh is quick to give credit to his grandfather for helping him out we he was starting up. "My grandpa was able to help me build my horse barn on that land before he passed in 1999," Josh said. I met my wife Amber in 2003. She grew up farming and wanted the same for our future family." Boone County: Thomason Family Farm Catulatis Josh and Amb Thas. Thanks f yr paage with Ands's Pr•ane. HINDSVILLE • ROGERS • FAYETTEVILLE • OZARK • KNOXVILLE andersonsgas.com

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