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
Suderman joins Tony St. James in the RFD Studios to discuss how geopolitical tensions are triggering global transport disruptions, new inflation pressures, and other challenges for agriculture to navigate.
Severe drought in South Texas is forcing ranchers to consider cattle sell-offs as feed and water supplies dwindle, threatening herd health and livestock operations.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney shares insights from new Real Agri-Studies research surrounding the relationship between farmers and their lenders and what it reveals about the current farm economy.
Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum explains how geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East could further tighten fertilizer movement, increase fuel costs, and complicate planting decisions for U.S. farmers this spring.
Farm CPA Paul Nieffer explains the Farmer Bridge Assistance payment limits, provides clarity on new legislation, and offers advice for producers considering business structure adjustments.
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins discusses the potential impact of data center growth on farmland, the Landowner Fairness Act, and key priorities for Missouri farmers heading into planting season.

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:

Experts warn pests could reduce yields and raise costs for producers
Recent USDA reports show a steady feedlot supply despite growing consumer demand for beef, ahead of typical seasonal summer trends.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln highlights hands-on programs preparing students for a wide range of agriculture-related fields
Reported results include stronger in-season nitrogen response, average yield gains of more than seven bushels per acre and more than $18 per acre in net return.
With deep agricultural ties, Dr. Carrie Castille, a South Louisiana native, aims to support ULM student success and connect rural communities.
Tennessee students share how the program fosters confidence, connection, and a sense of community
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Experts from the University of Nebraska Medical Center discuss health and how it impacts farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans on this special LIVE call-in show.
Each week, “Rural Heritage” on RFD Network features stories of farmers borrowing from yesterday to do today’s work.
As a how-to show dedicated exclusively to trucks, 4x4s and SUVs, Truck U finds monster-truck expert Matt Steele and master mechanic Bruno Massel tackling hands-on projects from DIY maintenance on pickups and SUVs, to serious off-road performance upgrades on Jeeps and ATVs.
Washington farmers grow more than 300 different crops and raise a variety of different animals, and Washington is also home to some of the greatest culinary experiences in America. Whether inside the kitchen or out in the field, at the end of the day, it’s all about the food!
“Today’s Wild West” is a documentary-style, half-hour TV seres on all-things-Western: horseback adventures, cattle drives, dude ranches, Western art, artisans, music, movies, historic sites, Native American culture and more.