|
Named
Sussex County Farm Bureau 2007 “Farm Family of
the Year,” the Henry C. Johnson family has a farming
heritage that extends across seven generations.
In the mid-1800s, Henry C. Johnson Jr.’s great-great
grandfather, whose name he bears, began farming in the
Selbyville area on 40 acres.
Hogs and chickens have been part of the operation for as
long as Henry C. Johnson III can remember. He became a
partner with his father in 1952. The broiler operation
was expanded in 1928, and although the broiler houses
were at one time converted to a laying
hen house,
they went back to broilers until October 2006.
Hogs were raised in open-air lots until the family moved
toward confinement in the 1960s. New farrowing and
nursery facilities were constructed and in 1966, one
chicken house was converted for hogs.
Today the farming operation consists of 750 acres, 300
of which is under irrigation; a farrow-to-finish hog
operation that includes marketing 3,500 hogs per year to
Hatfield; and a produce market. In addition to corn and
soybeans for grain, the family raises 30 acres of sweet
corn, 15 acres of you-pick pumpkins and 12 acres of
vegetables they sell at the produce market.
Johnson’s Country Market, established in 2000, has
expanded each year and is now open mid-April through
Christmas.
In addition to produce, the family sells spring bedding
plants, mums and fall accessories. Corn and other mazes
are part of fall fun for families, schools and groups.
During the holidays, there are fresh local turkeys,
pies, Hatfield hams, Christmas wreaths and trees and
more.
Henry III and Marylou have been married 49 years. Their
only daughter, Arlene Callahan, is married and lives in
Pennsylvania. Their three sons have remained on
the farm.
Henry Clay Johnson IV and his wife Wanda have
three children. Glenn P. Johnson Sr. and his wife Julie
also have three children. Keith W. Johnson and his wife
Rebecca have two children.
The three sons bought half-ownership in the farm in 1990
to continue the partnership with their father.
In 1998, Henry III turned the farm over to them
entirely.
The Johnsons have been active in Farm Bureau for years.
Henry Jr. was
Sussex
County president in 1958 and was a director.
Henry III, also a director, helped organize, in 1964,
the youth group now known as the Young Farmers and
Ranchers. His youngest son, Keith, has been involved in
YF&R since 1997 and is now YF&R state chairman.
Henry III, recently named
Sussex County Fireman of the Year, is a life
member of Roxana
Volunteer
Fire Department, as are Henry IV and Glenn Sr.
Marylou is a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Henry III is director and Henry IV is secretary of the
Delaware Pork Producers Board. Henry III also has served
on the
Nutrient Management Committee and the Delaware
Council of Farm Organizations. He also is chairman of
the managers of four tax ditches.
|
