Meet a Farmer: Deb & Johnny Wray
Located in Northeast Mississippi on the edge of the state’s famed and fertile Prairie Belt, Deb and Johnny Wray created High Hope Farm.
Farmer’s Footprint is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to restoring human and environmental health by advancing regenerative agriculture through education and storytelling.
Located in Northeast Mississippi on the edge of the state’s famed and fertile “Prairie Belt’, Deb and Johnny Wray created ‘High Hope Farm.’ They’ve created a healthy, vibrant, fertile and hospitable farm which has meant a commitment to using no herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, and other chemical pharmaceuticals (with very rare exceptions like saving an animal’s life).
They have grown over the past decade from selling just 3-4 grass-fed steers in our first year to now selling shares in around 25 annually, along with around 100 lambs, plus a growing flock of layers. Education, Resource Development and Grant Support could be of benefit in order to instill additional practices they still would like to put into place.
"We have the world to live in on the condition that we will take good care of it"
The Wray’s continually review and adapt their grazing plan – including animal movements, fencing design, watering system, shade, introduction of cool and warm weather annuals, etc. In addition, they intend to find the right farm resident partner to offer them immediate opportunities to begin making their own income as well as offer them educational opportunities (workshops, conferences, etc that focus on regenerative practices).
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