and present to prepare for the future — is
important, even critical, in farming. Plant-
ing seedling trees always gives me hope.
It’s about discipline, patience, hard work,
reinvestment, and long-term perspective.
It’s been such a blessing to have my children
be part of all this. I’ve also enjoyed watching
youngsters visit us over the years and learn
about farming and stewardship. This type of
educational experience is something we’re
passionate about at Dickey Farms.”
Dickey was nominated for Georgia Farmer
of the Year by Sarah Greer, Agriculture &
Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Develop-
ment Agent/County Extension Coordinator.
Of Dickey she says, “When Crawford County
lost its only grocery store in December 2016,
Dickey Farms stepped up and provided fresh
produce in season to meet the county’s
needs. After strawberry season ended, they
planted various vegetables to sell in their
market. Dickey Farms exemplifies all that it
means to be a steward of the land. They are
an innovative, progressive, amazing farm
that has lasted over generations. They are
also outstanding community members who
contribute to the health and benefit of the
entire county.”
As for ongoing challenges, Isbell has
to wonder what’s coming next. He says,
Chris Isbell was nominated Farmer
of the Year for Arkansas by the Lonoke
County Farm Family of the Year committee.
Committee member Josh Cunningham is
the Ag Lending Officer for AgHeritage Farm
Credit Services. He comments, “The Isbell’s
represent what the family farm really is.
Besides being remarkably innovative, they
are consistently generous in their efforts to
educate others about their challenges as
well as their successes.”
DICKEY—
Continued from Page 63
Continued from Page 67
stocker calves a year, sharing equipment on
the family farm. Daughter, Jacqueline, works
as a bookkeeper at a local accounting firm
and enjoys a steady relationship with Joe-Joe
Dobson of Tullahoma. The Rays are thrilled
to have a fourteen-month-old grandson,
Jackson, to dote on. Since Jerry Ray doesn’t
consider farming to be actual “work,” it’s not
surprising that much of his so-called leisure
time is spent going to industry-related seminars, sometimes accompanied by his son.
About this long and fulfilling farming
career, Ray says, “I enjoy what I do so much
because it’s given me a life of independence
and a sense of accomplishment. Growing
things, even at times on small profit margins,
has brought its own special joy. I’ve learned
patience and humility from Mother Nature
and made strides in the art of getting along
with others, mellowing out, and not sweat-
ing the small stuff.”
Dallas Manning, University of Tennessee
Extension Area Farm Management Special-
ist, nominated Ray for Farmer of the Year.
He admires his friend and colleague for his
excellent job management, record keeping,
and community involvement and describes
Ray as just “an overall great farmer and
great guy.”
9
RAY—
Continued from Page 77
OFFICIAL 2019 EXPO SOUVENIRS
MAY BE PURCHASED
At Sunbelt Expo Souvenir Booths
located at Flight Tower & Center of Grounds
Short Sleeve and Toddler Shirts — $15
T-shirts, Expo caps & 2019
Commemorative Expo Coke
Bottles are also available for
purchase at our online store
— www.sunbeltexpo.com
When the Wishon family isn’t hard at their
labors, they enjoy taking vacations together
to North or South Carolina beaches, rivers,
and lakes and to places like Yosemite and
Muir Woods in California where Wishon can
enjoy seeing “the really big trees.”
A life of diversified farming has taught
Johnny Wishon this: “If you take care of your
farm, your environment, your crops, they
will take care of you. Being stewards of the
land is a privilege as well as a responsibility.
I hope that what we’re doing on our farm
contributes to our overall purpose here on
earth, which is to help each other.”
Wishon was nominated for North Carolina
Christmas.’”
WISHON—
