“There is a connection between a farmer and the earth. We’re gatekeepers of sorts. Guardians of the land.”
Allred Farms is an organic family-owned and run farm in Ackerly, Texas. We grow cotton, wheat, barley, hay crops, hemp (soon), and a mixture of other cover crops on our 1,300 organic acres. In the USA, approximately 250,000 acres of wheat and only 20,000 acres of cotton are produced organically. They both account for less than one percent of production when adding the entire organic global market. While organic production is on the rise in America, it isn't getting easier for organic farmers. More GMO crops and more herbicide use by neighbors makes this a tougher profession than ever. Manuel and I tend to the fields. As my sons get older, they help more each year.
Our main goal is to improve the health of our environment. By rotating crops and utilizing cover crops, we search for balance between profiting our bank account and profiting the health of our soil, bodies, minds, souls and our community. Like most farmers in our area, we have no irrigation and depend solely on rainfall to water our crops. This creates a special bond with the elements. Some years are far more challenging than others. But we’re still here. We plan on being here for a long while. Creating healthy soil is the greatest way to secure a strong and healthy future. By replenishing the soil, the earth returns the favor. We love this land. In return, we are also loved. We want to share this experience. We want to share our story. This love does not stop at our land, it carries over into our crops then into the products we make.
