Biography
Carpenter’s Produce started as a one-acre garden planted by Katie Carpenter in 1969. Katie sold her produce at local Farmer’s Markets. Katie was very successful - she was making as much money in one week as her husband Abraham did in one day! When he saw how successful Katie was her husband, Abraham, quit his job at the lumber mill and bought more land. The Carpenters grew their farm with the help of family members. Over 35 family members have helped to make Carpenter’s Produce a success – including all eight of their children! They were even named Farm Family of the Year in 1988 by the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
In this part of Arkansas, farmers usually grew only a single kind of crop (often cotton, soybeans, or rice.) Katie and Abraham grew many types of fruits and vegetables, including squash, sweet potatoes, watermelons, purple hull peas, and beans. This meant that when one crop stopped growing there was another ready to sell.
Carpenter’s Produce now covers 1,000 acres! It is one of the largest employers in Grady, Arkansas. The Carpenters also help others outside of Arkansas. They teach others how to conserve resources while farming and manage family businesses like theirs. Abraham, Jr. works with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote participation in their programs and mentor young farmers. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Carpenter’s Produce sent trucks full of produce to help feed people in need.
In this part of Arkansas, farmers usually grew only a single kind of crop (often cotton, soybeans, or rice.) Katie and Abraham grew many types of fruits and vegetables, including squash, sweet potatoes, watermelons, purple hull peas, and beans. This meant that when one crop stopped growing there was another ready to sell.
Carpenter’s Produce now covers 1,000 acres! It is one of the largest employers in Grady, Arkansas. The Carpenters also help others outside of Arkansas. They teach others how to conserve resources while farming and manage family businesses like theirs. Abraham, Jr. works with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote participation in their programs and mentor young farmers. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Carpenter’s Produce sent trucks full of produce to help feed people in need.