Growing up in a small Arkansas town, Edgar Montgomery reminisced of the days working with his father Martin (Gent) Montgomery on the farm – driving the tractor, picking cotton and more, all while learning the rhythm of the seasons. But it wasn’t until later in life that Edgar decided to follow that spark his father had and turn his new passion into a profession.
With a dream of growing and selling his produce at local farmers markets, Edgar began mapping out a plan. But starting a farm from scratch isn’t easy. Land, equipment, knowledge – it all comes at a cost. That’s when he found a partner who would help bring his vision to life: the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
From the beginning, NRCS district conservationists, soil scientists and others worked alongside Edgar to understand his goals and guide him through conservation-focused practices that would lay a strong foundation for his farm. The first big step was a high tunnel system – a tool that would change the game for his vegetable production.