Alabama family farm still growing after 50 years

ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - Like many places across the country, working at Haney Farms is a family affair.

According to Matt Haney, who co-runs the business with his cousin Keith Haney, Haney Farms was founded more than 50 years ago by his grandfather, M.W. Haney. M.W. was aided in the endeavor by his two sons, Horace, Matt’s father, and Shirley, Keith’s father.

They established Haney Farms in the Tanner area of Limestone County, and today, the Haneys work around 10,000 acres of land. The property stretches from Interstate 65 all the way west to neighboring Lauderdale County, according to Matt Haney.

“We raise cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and a few cattle,” he said. “Keith takes care of the mechanical side of things, and I take care of the crops. I tell the guys where to go, what to do and what to use.”

Haney Farms employs anywhere from six to eight people depending on the season. Third and fourth-generation family members help out as well.

Matt and his wife, April, have three sons: Wilson, Preston and Evan. Wilson just graduated from Athens High School and is headed to Southern Union State Community College. Preston is going into the 10th grade at Athens, and Evan will be in the seventh.

Keith has a son named Cody, and Matt said all four of the boys help out on the farm.

“They work on the farm almost every day,” Matt said. “They grew up on the farm just like I did, and they can do whatever I need them to.”

Matt said, on a typical day, he manages employees and deciding what needs to be tended to that day.

Right now, Haney Farms is working on the irrigation system it uses to water corn crops. Though Limestone County received a fair amount of rain this weekend, Matt said the crops need even more water in the summer heat.

“We have 21 irrigation systems,” he said. “They usually keep us pretty busy this time of year.”

He said Haney Farms is also spraying beans and cotton, trying to keep weed and bug pressure down, and cutting hay.

There are many factors that farmers cannot control, from the weather to commodity prices. But one thing Matt said they can control and try to enhance is the farm’s efficiency.

“It’s tough,” he said. “You have to really watch yourself, be practical and efficient. We have to be efficient about everything we do. Technology is changing so fast, changing one year to the next, you can never get settled in.”

Given the number of factors outside of farmers’ control, Matt said they rely a lot on their faith.

“Everything goes in on the front side before you get anything back, but you know that the good Lord will take care of you,” he said. “Farmers have a lot of faith.”

Matt said people raised on farms also have a certain set of instincts about the business that most people won’t.

Something non-farmers may not realize about is how much technology gets used on a daily basis.

Haney Farms uses different digital mapping techniques. Factors like elevation and previous yields are taken into account. GPS imaging is used to aid the farmers, along with moisture probes, to check root depth and the uptake of moisture, which is used to schedule irrigation.

Even things like spray amounts or the placement of fertilizer and seeds involve technology so farmers can be more precise. Matt said people generally don’t realize just how many jobs are available in the agriculture industry, either.

“There are a ton of opportunities to be involved in agriculture, not just a farmer,” he aid.

Matt’s father Horace died recently, and his funeral was held Friday. He was well-known in Limestone County, and Matt thanked the community on social media for their support after his father’s death.

“Daddy would’ve been so proud to see all the people that came out … to honor him,” Matt wrote. “He would’ve loved to read all the posts, comments, and texts that we have received over the past few days.”

Matt said the family has “been overwhelmed with the love shown to us through his passing,” and he looks forward to one day hearing stories from those who knew his dad.

“Daddy lived a great life, he loved us very much, he loved his community, (and) he loved his farm,” Matt wrote. “He took great pride in all the things he loved.”

Matt and Keith represent the third generation of Haneys working on the family farm, and Matt believes the future of the business is set between his three sons and Keith’s son.

He expects any or all of them may end up making a career of working on the farm. His son Wilson is pursuing a degree in business that he may use in a future position there.