2022 Sharp County Farm Family of the Year

Chance and Kate Battles, owners of Battles Cattle Company in Sidney have been selected as the 2022 Sharp County Farm Family of the Year.

This year marks the 75^th anniversary of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program that has honored families across the state.

According to the Battles, this is not the first time the honor has been bestowed on their family, however; it wasn’t Chance and Kate, but rather Chance’s grandfather Johnny Van Battles, who was selected in 1976.

Chance said his father and brother are also full-time cattlemen and becoming a self-sustaining farm is not an accomplishment one does on their own.

Chance, Kate and two sons, Charlie (2) and Clint (1) operate on 475 acres, 155 of which are owned by the Battles.

“My granddad, I spent a lot of time with him when I was young. He’s the one that got me interested in it (farming). He ran yearlings and was an old-time cattleman. He loved it and loved every day of it,” Chance said. “He gave me my first calf and he’d buy at sales during the week and let me work on the weekend.”

With more than a decade of farming experience, Chance said in essence, it takes a village.

“Neighbors can be a blessing or a curse and we have wonderful neighbors around here and Bart Shultz’ farm joins ours. I rent the farm next to me. My high school AG teacher owns the farm they join on this side,” Chance said. “When I started out on my own, I started here and rented to add to it. I hope to buy more someday, but this is our headquarters. We keep our yearlings and cattle that require the most attention here.”

Chance said expanding the farm has been like building a rock wall one stone at a time.

“It takes time and you’ve got to be committed to it. It’s not easy all the time. We’ve received a lot of blessings and worked at it,” Chance said.

Kate said she does not have a background in cattle farming, however; she spent the majority of her life working with horses. Now, she spends her time and attention raising two young men.

“I’m full-time at home with the boys now but taught art in elementary and high school. I was blessed to have the opportunity to stay home,” Kate said. “My father is a crop duster doing aerial application and we had horses. Everything I’ve learned about cattle has been on-the-job training.”

In addition to helping Chance run the farm, raising the boys and working cattle, Kate also grows an expansive garden and said last year, she was able to start canning. She jokingly noted there were lots of pickles to be had.

Chance said the garden has been a great contribution and although he helps get it started, once hay season starts, Kate runs with it from there.

“It’s a good hobby and a good fit. Little Boys love dirt. It’s nice they can play on their tractors in the garden or on the swing set nearby,” Kate said.

In addition to the 160 acres of hay crop, 130 stock cows and bulls, 30 replacement heifers, 90 stockers and 90 yearlings, the Battles also strive to stay connected and involved in their local community.

Serving as the Sunday school teacher at Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Chance said it was an unexpected blessing.

“The Lord puts things on you and most of the time you’re not ready for it. I had a guy who taught Sunday school who got sick, and I said I’d fill in for him. He said alright and then was killed in an accident… I’ve been teaching Sunday school ever since. We have an excellent preacher and a mediocre Sunday school,” Chance joked.

When asked about income, the Battles said they have been blessed in that regard as well, able to work the farm and make a living at the same time.

“The cattle keep me busy. I have things I’d like to achieve, but no ambition for row cropping. One thing I wanted to do was start pre-conditioning for someone for some yearlings and we’ve had the opportunity to start doing that. It has been working well and now we’re shopping cattle out,” Chance said. “Our business is primarily local, but we sell some bred heifers, and they almost always go out in a 40-to-50-mile radius. It is a great compliment to us to have return customers. It lets us know we’re doing a good job.”

Chance said at present, they have eight bulls, all of which he dislikes equally.

Although they are still young, Charlie and Clint help where they can and have already shown a strong desire to work the farm as they become more capable.

“They have a real zeal and they love it. They love the tractor and the farm. It’s not as glamorous as people think, taking care of animals, day in and day out but the Lord watches out for us and we do the best we can. We’re thankful to our community. That they thought enough of us for this honor,” Kate said. “It is a lifestyle.”

Chance echoed her sentiments and extended his thanks to the community.

Hallmark Times congratulates the Battles Family on the excellent achievement as the 2022 Sharp County Farm Family of the Year. We wish you a lifetime of success!