Nicholson Family Honored as a 2025 County Culture Farm Family

The Nicholson Family Farm, with roots planted deep in both Jackson and Woodruff Counties, has been selected as one of three 2025 Farm Families by County Culture magazine. With over a century of dedication to agriculture, the Nicholson family embodies the spirit of Arkansas farming; hard-working, community-minded, and deeply faithful.

Row crop farmers through and through, the Nicholsons produce rice, soybeans, wheat, and corn across their acreage. Farming, for them, is not just a livelihood but a way of life passed down through generations. The rhythms of the farm vary by season, but the days are long and purposeful. During the busiest months, work begins by 7 a.m. and can stretch well into the evening.

The operation is finely tuned, with employees divided into crews that handle different essential tasks. A maintenance team keeps the wheels turning, literally, repairing equipment and granaries and tracking down vital parts. During planting season, the crews fan out to handle everything from laying poly pipe and driving tractors to spraying fields and managing water levels. Come harvest, a new rhythm takes over with combine operators, buggy drivers, truck drivers, and staff managing grain bin logistics and documentation.

Behind the scenes, equally critical work takes place. Planning crop rotations, managing fertilizer and chemical applications, handling paperwork for FSA and crop insurance, booking annual crop prices, overseeing payroll, and supervising crew leads are all part of the operation’s backbone. Every role, whether in the field or the office, is vital to the farm’s success.

The family doesn’t just invest in their farm. They invest in their community. They are active members of local churches. Nikki teaches in the public school system, and Kelly (Nicholson) McKenny is a well-loved local dentist. It's rare to find a community event without at least one Nicholson in attendance, cheering it on or lending a helping hand.

Values such as hard work, responsibility, stewardship of the land, humility, and faith are cornerstones of the family’s legacy, and they make a point to pass these on to the next generation. Farming, however, is not without its struggles. The Nicholsons face daily challenges from unpredictable weather including floods, droughts, or both in the same season, to inflation, rising input costs, and fluctuating crop prices that often fall below the break-even point.

The family hopes that future generations can continue farming with fewer financial stresses and a more sustainable model. With high borrowing costs and enormous startup expenses, breaking into agriculture has become nearly impossible for many young people. Yet the Nicholsons remain hopeful.

While several family members work off the farm, most are deeply involved in day-to-day operations, and the farm also employs a dedicated team of salaried and day laborers who are essential to the farm's success.

Being named one of the 2025 County Culture Farm Families is a celebration of the Nicholson legacy and a recognition of their continued commitment to feeding America and uplifting their community.