Farming Through Generations: The Dodds Family Story

Growing up Russell Dodds always knew he wanted to farm. He grew up in South Carolina but enjoyed visiting his grandfather’s farm in Artesia, Mississippi.

“I wanted to be a farmer since I was a kid,” Russell said. “This was actually my grandfather’s place. He and his dad bought it back in the late 1920s.”

After studying dairy production at Mississippi State University, Russell spent over 20 years dairying for himself and others in the area. However, with milk prices falling and four children to care for, Russell had to find a new business venture. In 2009, he built six chicken houses and two years later had already added more to his farm.

“My neighbor used to say that part of a farmer’s pay was their lifestyle. You can’t buy the time spent with your children and the ability to influence them more than the average bear.” – Russell Dodds

“You look at how Peco does business today, and to me, it’s obvious that they still operate by the same Christian standards Mr. Hickman operated under when he founded the company,” Russell said. “I couldn’t imagine a better company to do business with because they are good to us.”

Raising chickens has given Russell the chance to work alongside his family and foster a unique business relationship with his sons. His oldest son, Mac, works with him to maintain his eight chicken houses, and his younger son, John, and daughter-in-law, Jessica, built six chicken houses of their own next to Russell’s.

As the fourth generation to care for the family farm, Russell has great satisfaction knowing things will be well-taken care of after he’s gone, and he values the relationship he’s built with his kids working with them day to day.

Like his father, John grew up wanting to be a farmer, but knowing the amount of capital it takes to get started, he assumed it would be something he wouldn’t be able to do until later in life.

“I studied civil engineering with the goal to build up enough money to one day farm,” John said. “I figured it would take a long time, and I would have to make a career out of engineering first.”

Just a few years after graduation, Peco called and said they were looking for more contract producers. Immediately John started building his chicken houses and about a year and a half later, he was raising his first flock.

“Peco put a lot of faith in me, and I appreciate that. You don’t really see a lot of 24-year-olds being trusted with such a significant operation, but Peco saw my potential and invested in my vision,” John said. As John and his wife eagerly await the arrival of their first child, they realize how fortunate they are to be able to grow up around family like Russell who will set a strong example for his grandchild the same way he did for his children.