Story and photos by JEFFREY POWELL
Each year the Walton County Extension Service choses a farm family of the year. The families are chosen in part due to their contributions to the farming community and their continued effort toward sustaining a farming lifestyle. This years Farm Family of the Year is the extended family of Bobby and Hazel Collinsworth of the Gaskin area.
“This family’s enthusiasm to learn about the cattle industry is amazing,” said Walton County Extension Service Director Mike Goodchild. “They come to almost every program we hold, they have made a commitment to making their farm work. They also take care of their land by using Florida Best Management practices. This is a group that is committed to their efforts.”
Bobby Collinsworths grandfather first purchased land in the Gaskin area in 1894. That piece of land is just down the road from their present location which was farmed by his father starting in 1924. Over the years the Collinswoths have tried their hands at growing corn, cotton, soybeans and pines. They have also dabbled in the raising of hogs and cattle. Within the last few years their extended family has again become interested in the cattle business and is actively hoping to expand this endeavor.
“The heritage of farming and working together is the enjoyable part,” said grandson Phillip Currid. “Farming is something that comes from inside a person and it takes the whole family to succeed. In 2011 I asked my papa if we could put some cows out there in the old horse pen and he said I could put cows on the whole place if I wanted to. We got our first 30 in 2012 and it has grown from there. We are glad papa said yes. We have been really busy over the past year-and-a -half. We are excited to have been chosen the farm family of the year and are thankful to Mike Goodchild for picking us. This would not be possible without the help and guidance of my entire family.”
The Collinsworth clan currently farms a total of 560 acres, some of which they own and some of which are leased. They own 129 commercial cows and have 16 Simmentals. They hope to expand this operation in the future and keep the family involved.
“I love working with the cows and seeing the kids do this is very nice,” said Phillip’s grandmother Hazel. “I hope all the future generations will follow in our footsteps.”
