Wards Named Escambia County Farm Family Of The Year

November 10, 2018

The Heath Ward Family was named the Escambia County Farm Bureau Farm Farm Family of the Year.

Heath Ward is a fourth generation farmer who was born and raised in Walnut Hill. On the day he was born, Heath’s father Brett was shelling corn on the on land owned by Heath’s great-grandfather.

He is one of those men who always knew what he wanted from life. At an early age, he realized that he would one day take over the family farm. The FFA and agricultural classes were his favorites in school. Growing up, Heath competed in steer shows and helped his father and grandfather on their farms in both Walnut Hill and Lowndes County, AL.

After attending Auburn University, he moved home to fulfill his calling of, in his words, “feeding America”. His row crops include cotton, corn, and peanuts. In 2006, Heath was named Florida’s Outstanding Young Peanut Farmer of the Year.

In 2011, Heath met Elisabeth Hendrix from Atmore. They were married in 2012, and welcomed their first child, Hendrix, in 2014. Mary-Grace, a true “farmer’s daughter,”‘was welcomed in 2017.

Heath, Elisabeth, Hendrix, and Mary-Grace enjoy Sunday afternoon rides to check cows or look at crops. They say this time together is relaxing and brings them together as a family. While Heath and Elisabeth want their children to spread their wings and chase their personal dreams, they would love nothing more for them to settle down back home in Walnut Hill, hopefully following in their father’s footsteps in the agricultural business.

Pictured top: Elisabeth Ward holding Hendrix Ward, Farm Bureau board member Jack Livingston, and Heath Ward holding Mary-Grace Ward. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “Wards Named Escambia County Farm Family Of The Year”

  1. monica croom on November 12th, 2018 2:02 pm

    nothings changed in this small rural area.Still the same 40 years later.

  2. Jackie Johnson on November 10th, 2018 8:25 pm

    Congratulations Heath and Family!

  3. Susan Smith on November 10th, 2018 1:41 pm

    I am so proud of the Wards! This young Family is an example of the direction our Atmore/NorthEscambia Communities are headed. We are in good hands! CONGRATULATIONS !

  4. WDE on November 10th, 2018 12:40 pm

    Congratulations and War Eagle, Elisabeth & Heath!

  5. DDD on November 10th, 2018 10:35 am

    Outstanding honor! Congratulations to you, all and thank you for what you continue to do. Hoping this will bring forth future generations of farmers, that benefit so many. Thank you!

  6. Sarah Ward on November 10th, 2018 9:47 am

    Congratulations Elisabeth and Heath!!

  7. Betsy on November 10th, 2018 8:07 am

    Congratulations Heath and Elisabeth!

  8. Kathy on November 10th, 2018 6:33 am

    Congratulations, Elisabeth and Heath!

  9. Sandy Godwin Collier on November 10th, 2018 6:04 am

    Congratulations to you and your family.