Arkansas Couple Turns Farm and Bakery into a Destination Stop

Their operation has grown into a featured stop on the state’s farm trail.

SHIRLEY, ARKANSAS (RFD NEWS) — Wade and Marlene Lucas have turned their farm into a featured stop on this year’s Arkansas Farm Trail, offering everything from fresh strawberries to homemade pies.

The couple moved from Florida and spent years building their operation into a place that now draws visitors from across the area.

Marlene says it is the people who keep them going: “Community is so important to me. It’s so good to get to see people. You become family with people, you get to know them, you get to know their children.”

Over the past 25 years, they’ve expanded the farm to 12 acres, turning it into a scenic spot for lunches, desserts, and fresh-picked produce.

The Arkansas Farm Trail Passport now features more than 35 stops across the state, highlighting agriculture, food, and local experiences.

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“When you’re a part of this industry, you are a part of keeping the world alive and thriving! We are nothing without the agriculture industry.”
In 2022, agritourism brought in more than $1.2 billion, according to the USDA.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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