Family Roots Run Deep at Louisiana Century Farm, Produce Ridge

RFD NEWS Correspondent Tammi Arender takes us to Produce Ridge, where we meet Louisiana farmer Charles Holley as he continues a family legacy over 100 years old, and teaches his grandchildren the value of working the land.

WEST CARROLL PARISH, LOUISIANA (RFD NEWS) — For the Holley Family, farming is more than a job. It is a family legacy that runs more than a century deep.

Charles Holley of Produce Ridge has a deep connection to his land. He grew up on the farm and learned to cultivate the land from his parents.

“I guess it’s in my blood,” Holley says. “I grew up on this place. We had 2,000 peach trees. Dad did cotton. It became a part of my life.”

In his interview with RFD News Correspondent Tammi Arender, Holley explains that it goes beyond what is grown in the fields and is more about passing down the property to his family. Today, his grandchildren are being taught hands-on lessons not typically offered in a classroom. Right now, they are learning how to plant Ambrosia cantaloupe.

“We’re trying to keep that alive. Continue to grow fruits and vegetables so it doesn’t have to be shipped in from somewhere else.”

Soon, Produce Ridge fields will blossom with peaches, tomatoes, watermelon, broccoli, corn, and even potatoes.

However, the reward is not just in the harvest for Holley and his family. He says that it is in the relationships that grow out of helping the community.

You can learn more about Produce Ridge and upcoming events by visiting the farm’s Facebook page.

Tammi Arrender reporting for RFD NEWS.

Related Stories
Autumn Lankford Higgins with the Farm Bureau joins us to discuss data center expansion on farmland, rural policy considerations, and the role of agriculture in emerging digital infrastructure.
The country artist’s “Stand By Your Pan” blends vintage-inspired recipes with stories, humor, and Southern hospitality.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney joins us to discuss geopolitical trade tensions, energy market volatility, and what global shifts could mean for U.S. agriculture exports.
National Pork Producers Council President Rob Brenneman joins us to discuss Prop 12 provisions in the House’s Farm Bill as it heads to the Senate for debate.
Waylon NeSmith says continuing the operation is a way to carry on the lessons and legacy his father left behind.
Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs joins us to discuss planting progress, weather conditions, and how geopolitical tensions are clouding his growing season outlook as input concerns continue to escalate.

Tammi was raised on a cotton and soybean farm in Tallulah, Louisiana. In 1981, she became a TV news anchor and reporter at KNOE-TV in Monroe, Louisiana. She is also an anchor/reporter for RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on Sirius XM at their Nashville news studio, where Tammi currently resides.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Turner built one of the nation’s largest private land holdings while becoming a major force in bison ranching and conservation.
Researchers say stronger rootstocks are helping growers fight citrus greening.
Culver’s is holding its annual “Scoops of Thanks Day” event, offering a scoop of frozen custard in exchange for a $1 donation supporting agricultural education.
Industry leaders say overseas markets remain critical as USDA pushes for broader export opportunities.
The Natchitoches facility is raising endangered species while supporting conservation efforts across the region.
The new initiative is helping agricultural leaders strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
RFD-TV’s newest music series, “On the Record,” presented by John Deere, takes viewers on a journey through the heart of country music. Hosted by renowned broadcaster, Suzanne Alexander, the show features long-form interviews with today’s biggest artists and the veterans who inspired them. “On the Record” also gives viewers a front row seat to intimate performances and exclusive music video releases, highlighting the broad scope of Nashville’s talent.
The affable and unassuming international singing star Daniel O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s best known performers – from Australia to Alaska.
Ray’s Roadhouse is a weekly program featuring the music of Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray and his band Asleep at the Wheel has had a more than 50 year career in the music industry and over the years have earned nine Grammy Awards. The program also will feature guest performers such as Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Kelly Willis.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.
FarmHER + RanchHER on RFD-TV is working to change how people perceive a farmer by sharing the stories of the women who live and lead in agriculture.