By Jessica Roles
Burthel Thomas always dreamed of owning land. As a boy who grew up in Dumas, Ark., his experience of living and working on a farm was kindled through visits with his childhood friend after school and seeing the different aspects of the farming lifestyle. Nestled in the backroads of Arkansas, his farm is more than just acres of crop – it’s a living testament to perseverance, purpose, and partnership.
“I would always get off at the bus stop with my friend just so I could go and see his farm,” said Burthel Thomas, owner and operator of Thomas Farm Corporation. “I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a farmer.”
Initially purchasing his land 10 years ago as a 10-acre strip, Burthel increased his land substantially over the past several years and now owns 275 acres. On his farm, he raises watermelons, soybeans, native plants for seed production and more. His passion, however, is growing watermelons to share during field days at the end of each summer. With more than 30,000 watermelon seedlings in the ground, he anticipates no trouble providing fresh produce to the community.