Darrel was raised in a large farming family in southwest Ohio. His grandparents on both sides raised livestock or grew row crops, as did most of their twelve children. He always worked the family farms and planned to farm himself someday. As happens sometimes, that plan took a twenty-eight-year detour. Now, he is back on the road to farming with acreage in Huntsville and attending the CAFF Farm School. He’s making new plans for an old dream.
Darrel arrived in Arkansas in 1975 to study Ag Business at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. In the ROTC program, he decided to stick with the military and served the next 14 years on active duty. This was followed by another 13 in the National Guard and Reserves. After active duty, he worked as a Contracting Officer for the Corps of Engineers in Little Rock.
When asked why return to farming at this time in life, Darrel replies, “I just always wanted to.” He states it with the kind of organic self-knowing that stirs something in everyone else who just knows they aren’t finished yet. Many CAFF students resonate with that same conviction.
Initially, Darrel attended CAFF Beginning Farmer Classes on Zoom, which he describes as “fantastic,” but realized he needed a more immersive program like the Farm School. Kindred spirits were discovered in the cohort of students. “It’s been a great experience,” he says, “The instructors are excellent, and the whole program has been a blast. Everyone in class looks forward to going to school every day. It’s been a blessing to be in this particular group. Everyone helps each other. We’re all learning together and learning from each other too.”
Darrel enjoyed the presenters who spoke to the class on specialized topics. He mentions the law segment of the curriculum presented by the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture Law Center. There were also courses on marketing, social media, taxes, and finance that Darrel found valuable.
“None of it has been boring. I feel like a sponge, soaking up knowledge, and I can’t soak it up fast enough,” he says enthusiastically. “I’ve had to change my thinking from the large-scale, row-crop type of farming I studied in college and grew up around. I’m relearning everything from this small-scale farming perspective.”
Darrel says each instructor has a unique perspective to offer to the students. “Their ultimate goal is for each of us to have a viable business plan and crop plan,” he says. “They are helping us identify the particular tools and equipment we need to operate the type of farm we each want.”
When asked what he enjoys most about farming, Darrel says it’s peaceful and relaxing. He also loves working outside every day. “After flying a desk for 27 years, it’s a nice change! It’s hard work, but like anything, the people make all the difference. I get to work with nice folks every day while I learn. And I’m excited about everything I’m being taught.”
After farm school, Darrel plans to put what he has learned into practice on five acres south of Huntsville in Madison County. He’ll develop just a half-acre initially. “The instructors have helped me plan how to orient the field and where to set up the high tunnels, irrigation, pack shed, and wash station. I’m going to start slow to avoid going into debt. I plan to save up for any new equipment I need before expanding. He’s acquired some equipment over the years and is glad to have those assets in hand already.
Darrel’s advice for anyone considering farming is, “You really can farm if you want to. You can do it on the side if you have a job. You can do this in the city or a quarter of an acre in your backyard, expanding your skills and production from there. You don’t need a lot of tools or equipment to start. Don’t buy things in advance. Discover what you need as you go.
Start small and gradually increase production. First, ask yourself what you want from farming. Is it a self-sustainable life and feeding yourself? Or to be your own boss? Knowing what you want from it is important.”
Darrel is glad he enrolled in CAFF Farm School. He tells a story of a day when it began to rain as the students were in the field. The class decided to keep working in the rain rather than going in. “Maybe it’s just this group, but we were all so happy to be in the program on a farm. That day we were excited to learn and happy with what we were doing, ” he says. “we just didn’t want to miss anything.”
Anyone interested in being part of the next cohort of CAFF Farm School students can learn more about the program at UAFarmSchool.org. Applications are open through August 30th.CAFF is part of the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture.
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