Morrilton brothers honored for farming operation
MORRILTON — Nicholas Moore and his younger brother, Lucas Moore, started farming together in 2000. They were soon joined by their older brother, Joshua Moore, and now operate a farming partnership known as 3 Brothers Farm LLC. The 3 Brothers Farm is the 2020 Conway County Farm Family of the Year.
Joshua Moore, 43, is married to Kimberly, and they have three daughters: Leah, 17, Isabella, 15, and Gabrielle, 13.
Nicholas Moore, 38, is married to Regina, who has two adult daughters. Regina’s daughters and their families include Candace Keelin and her two daughters, Kainzleigh McGhee, 9, and Kenzington McGhee, 5; and Brittney Harmon and her husband, Cody Harmon, who have a son Carsen, 10; a daughter, Breylei, 5; and a son Breckon, 2.
Lucas Moore, 36, is married to Jessica, and they have a 6-year-old son, Cotton, and 3-year-old twins, daughter Wyleigh and son Joe Hank.
Jessica Moore, acting as spokeswoman for the family, said, “Overall, we are so proud and honored to be named Conway County Farm Family of the Year.”
She said Nicholas and Lucas started the farm by raising cattle and doing custom hay baling while they were still in high school. They added a row-crop operation in 2013, when they bought out their former employer, Randy Pettingill, when he retired.
Lucas said the brothers raise a mixed breed of cattle using Black Angus bulls. They market the cattle by word of mouth. They also raise corn, wheat and soybeans, which is sold to local granaries. He said they hope to someday open a retail store where they can sell their own beef.
Jessica said the brothers were “inspired by their grandfather and dad,” who also farmed. Joshua, Nicholas and Lucas are the sons of Edward and Laura Moore of Morrilton and grandsons of Leo Moore of Morrilton and the late Elizabeth Moore, and Richard DeSalvo of Center Ridge and the late Cecilia DeSalvo.
The Moore brothers are all graduates of Morrilton High School.
Jessica said one of the biggest challenges on the farm is Mother Nature.
“We either have too much rain or not enough,” she said. “The floods in 2015 and 2019 flooded the crops, displaced the cattle, delayed replanting and harvesting.”
Jessica said the three brothers are all avid hunters.
“They hunt ducks and deer,” she said. “They also enjoy fishing with the kids. It’s very rare that they are not outdoors doing something.”
Joshua serves with the Morrilton Volunteer Fire Department and is a captain/paramedic for the Russellville Fire Department. He is a member of the Conway County Cooperative Extension Service Council.
Nicholas and Lucas are members of the Conway County Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture Program Planning Commission.
The brothers’ wives also work outside the home.
Kimberly Moore is manager of marketing and corporate communications at Koontz Electric Co Inc. She is a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Parish Council and serves on the board of directors for the Greater Little Rock Chapter No. 12 of the National Association of Women in Construction.
Regina Moore is a nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Arkansas Nursing Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is a member of Ada Valley Community Church.
Jessica Moore is an art teacher at Morrilton Junior High School. She also owns Jess Moore Leather on Etsy, where she creates custom leatherwork. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Morrilton.
“All us wives work on the farm, too,” Jessica said, laughing. “We can all drive a tractor and bale hay. Everybody helps on the farm. The older girls help, and Cotton, for sure, wants to be a farmer.
“We hope to pass the farm down to the next generation, if they want it.”
Nicholas said he was a senior in high school and Luke was in 10th grade when they started farming.
“We have room for growth,” Nicholas said. “We’ll grow if the opportunity comes our way. We want to make it profitable for these young’uns, if they want it.”
Jessica said neighboring farmers and families have been a big help with the Moore family’s operation.
“Anytime we need help, everybody jumps right in and becomes hands-on,” she said. “Our aunt, uncles and cousin have been especially helpful — Judy, Buddy and Brittany Shipp, Roger Moore and Lewis Moore. We appreciate all of them.”