Ricky Skinner
Ricky is a second-generation farmer with 1400 acres of rice and soybeans in Woodruff, Monroe, and St. Francis counties in Arkansas.
Meet Riceland member Ricky Skinner.
Ricky is a second-generation farmer with 1400 acres of rice and soybeans in Woodruff, Monroe, and St. Francis counties in Arkansas.
Twenty years ago, Ricky’s father started farming with only 105 acres. When he decided to retire, Ricky got the opportunity to take over the family farm.
With the help of many neighbors, Ricky began farming and slowly grew the acreage to what it is today. He realized that he could not do it all alone. Relying on industry experts, he employed crop consultants to maintain efficient crops as the operation grew. Today, his stepson, Tyler Tackett, helps him carry out daily activities.
“I love the challenge. That’s why I farm. Being told I can’t makes me more determined to do so.”
To Ricky, the future of agriculture involves finding solutions. Farmers continually face volatile input prices, rising equipment costs, and unforeseen events. Farmers like Ricky have been historically resilient when faced with challenges, so they know overcoming those challenges is always possible.
For Ricky, the value Riceland adds to his operation begins at the driers. He says Riceland’s bookkeepers are an essential asset to Riceland members. He notes their involvement with the farmers and community and their knowledge of the driers as invaluable information to the cooperative and the members they serve.
Standing in one of his fields on a clear day, he can see the Riceland drier at Wheatley. Not only does Riceland have an extensive drier network, but they also have plenty of driers conveniently located near farmers’ fields. This is another factor that has kept Skinner involved with our cooperative.
Today, farmers like Ricky can harvest 20,000 bushels in one day with a single combine, and they believe technology on the farm should be matched with the technology at receiving locations. Citing upcoming updates to the Wheatley facility, Ricky notes that Riceland is moving forward as its farmers are.
“Riceland is constantly improving, and I want that to continue.”
Ricky, thank you for being our member and for your commitment to Riceland.
