WARREN, Ark. – Mr. Nathan and Mrs. Jodi Harrod, (along with James and Barbara Johnson), owners and operators of Spring Branch Farms, LLC, were recently honored as the 2024 Bradley County Farm Family of the Year. With an operation that is growing each year, the 40-plus acre business owned by the couple and Nathan’s grandparents is bustling and multifaceted, producing an impressive 12,000,000 eggs a year. It’s a big operation run by a partnership between two hard-working, and almost never ceasing Bradley County farm families which call home a farm that’s been passed down through five generations, albeit with a few changes over the years.
Top photo(from left to right): Back row: Barbara Johnson, James Johnson, Nathan Harrod, and Jodi Harrod. Front row: Kaysen Harrod, Kenzley Harrod, and Kouper Harrod.
Roots of Tradition and Innovation
The story of Spring Branch Farms is woven with threads of tradition and innovation. Nathan, along with his grandparents, James and Barbara Johnson, whose longtime family farm has been in the Johnson family for generations, decided years ago, after Barbara’s and James’s retirement from Potlatch, to turn the farmland into a chicken farm as a partnership. Barbara has awoken with the chickens for over 8 years and driven to the farm at 4:30 am to be sure the morning feedings were going off without a hitch, and fixing what needed to be fixed as things arose, while Nathan also works 18+ hour days making sure all the houses and the litter spreading and cleanout services are all running smoothly. Nathan is the eldest son of Barbara and James’s middle daughter, Brandy. Nathan’s journey into farming began early, shaped by generations of family tradition. “Farming’s all I’ve ever done,” he reflects with a hint of nostalgia, recalling days on the tractor with his father, Matt Harrod, at Matt’s family’s farm. Nathan’s expertise extends beyond poultry; Nathan’s ventures into cleaning chicken houses for other farmers have become integral to his business, spanning South Arkansas and beyond. Spring Branch Farms is not just a business; it’s a way of life. Nathan and Jodi’s children, actively engaged in 4-H and FFA, embody this ethos, taking on farm duties with enthusiasm and dedication. From picking up floor eggs to showing and caring for animals, each family member plays a vital role in the farm’s success. James and Barbara, along with Nathan and Jodi, work tirelessly seven days a week to make sure all the needs of Spring Branch Farms are met.
Agricultural Excellence and Challenges Overcome
The Harrod and Johnson families’ commitment to agricultural excellence is reflected in their production of over 12 million hatching eggs annually. With 80,000 breeder hens and 8,000 breeder roosters, their operations are a model of efficiency and sustainability. Contracted through Bachoco/OK Foods in Fort Smith, AR, they oversee eight breeder houses, supplying hatch eggs crucial to the poultry industry’s vitality. Yet, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Breeder farming’s labor-intensive nature demanded a strategic approach, leading to the hiring of a supervisor for training and monitoring. Investments in new lighting for enhanced egg production underscore their commitment to continuous improvement.
Family Dynamics and Contributions
Barbara Johnson’s financial acumen as a longtime accountant, James’s mechanical equipment and knowledge, complemented by Nathan’s mechanical expertise and Jodi’s agricultural background, forms a robust foundation. Barbara oversees the books and payroll for Spring Branch Farms and SBF Cattle and Farm Services. Jodi and Nathan manage onsite farm activities, Barbara keeps up with and submits all the egg numbers weekly, and Jodi also assists in the office. Nathan’s role also extends to hauling and spreading litter throughout the region with his SBF Cattle and Farm Services, while James Johnson brings his vast mechanical skills to the farm’s maintenance and repair of the large equipment.
The farm’s history is rich with familial bonds. James Johnson, who worked at Potlatch in the truck shop for years, now plays a vital role in addressing mechanical issues and liaising with clients. His early years on the farm, marked by the construction of the house now inhabited by Nathan and Jodi, reflect a continuity of life and labor on the land. James’s parents, Haggard and Ethel Trussell Johnson, bought the farm from Ethel’s father in the forties. On that land, Haggard built a groundhog sawmill that cut the wood for the current farmhouse that still sits there today. The land that Spring Branch Farm sits on has seen its share of farming over its five-generation family history, including cotton, cattle, corn, and tomatoes.
Biosecurity and Environmental Stewardship
Biosecurity remains a top priority for Spring Branch Farms. Rigorous sanitization protocols, including pressure washes and thorough inspections, are conducted regularly to safeguard against disease and ensure a healthy environment for their poultry. This proactive approach reflects their dedication to animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Looking Towards the Future
As Spring Branch Farms continues to thrive and evolve, the Harrod and Johnson families look towards the future with optimism and ambition. Plans for expansion, including acquiring additional land for livestock and hay production, signify a commitment to sustainable growth and community prosperity. Their vision extends beyond mere farming; it encompasses a legacy of responsible stewardship and agricultural excellence.
In honoring the Harrod family as the 2024 Bradley County Farm Family of the Year, we celebrate not just their achievements but the timeless values that define their agricultural journey—a blend of tradition, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the land and its legacy. As they continue to inspire and lead, the Harrod family, along with grandparents James and Barbara Johnson, stand as beacons of farming excellence and community stewardship.