Austin has been engaged in agricultural pursuits from his earliest memories in the family garden.  Food production and frugality were imprinted on him from his depression-age grandparents.  In those households, food was freedom.  Food was a responsibility.  Food was not free, yet food stimulated love and family.  The function and mysticism behind plants and animals, in addition to their economic and societal roles always intrigued him. As a teenager, he pursued personal growth through FFA, rodeo, and working in the commodity production agriculture scene.  As a youth, he was involved in land evaluation, plant identification, forest and natural resource management and leadership in multiple organizations.

 

He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Education at Arkansas State University where he was recognized as an Outstanding Agriculture Education Graduate.  Later he completed his Master’s Degree in Agriculture at Southern Arkansas University.   He has taught high school students for 15 years instructing on agriculture, food, and natural resource systems.  He served multiple terms on the board of the Arkansas Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association. 

 

He currently resides in the Boston Mountain region of North Central Arkansas on a multifaceted operation with his wife Amber and their four children.  Austin and his wife Amber, along with their children were the recipients of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2017 and Austin was the AFB YFR Discussion Meet Winner in 2018. 

 

Austin has lived out his education by producing diverse plant and animal products from his acreage, applying a permaculture twist to efforts. His focus has been on his family's enjoyment, income and nourishment.   Austin and his family are currently focused on helping others develop sound personal, business, and natural resource management skills with resiliency and sustainability as the focus.