Local family farm recognized for environmental sustainability

Infinity Ranch in Lamar, owned and operated by Butterball turkey grower Theron Rowbotham, received the Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. The annual award recognizes exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production and was presented at the 2022 International Production & Processing Expo held Jan. 25. As the southeast regional winner, Rowbotham was one of five winners nationwide.

Rowbotham strongly believes in his responsibility to improve the sustainability of his family-run farm. He installed a 144-panel solar power system that provides supplemental electrical power to the 200-acre, four-house farm. The electricity from the solar panels powers the turkey houses first and if they are creating more power than the houses need, the energy then goes back to the grid. With this grid-tied system, Rowbotham is innovating rural farming practices that traditionally rely on battery power.

Following seven generations of family farming, Rowbotham joined Butterball in January 2018. Outside of running Infinity Ranch, he serves on the Farm Bureau board and the Poultry Commodity board. His wife, Jeanie, works with the University of Arkansas Extension Service, coordinating 4-H activities and youth programs specific to poultry.