Farming Together: A Daughter Returns to Continue the Family Legacy

A multigenerational farmer, Ralph Junkin, Jr. was born into a farming family and grew up in Zion, Alabama. The Junkin family had a strong relationship with Peco’s founders long before Ralph began growing chickens. Ralph’s grandfather raised hens for Peco’s founder, John Herman Hickman, and Ralph’s father, although originally a dairy farmer, added chicken houses to his farm in 1970 to grow for his friend, Denny Hickman.

Ralph built five of his own chicken houses in 1990 and runs eight houses today. He has two sons that grew up helping on the farm, just as he did, but his daughter, Jessica, is the one who fell in love with the industry. After earning her degree in Agricultural Communications at Mississippi State University, she chose to return home to work with her father.

“I wanted to come back to the farm because I like working outside and spending time with the animals,” Jessica said. “I also enjoy working with my family because we have a special bond and camaraderie that helps us work well together.”

“Growing chickens has always been a good thing for our family. We’ve never thought about doing anything different.” – Ralph Junkin

As farmers, Ralph and Jessica understand the importance of their role and how it plays into the overall agricultural ecosystem. Beyond their chicken houses, they also raise beef cattle and dairy cows. With his daughter back, they are now working to set up a dairy to process and sell milk.

“We are big advocates of all aspects of agriculture and would love to see more people get involved,” Ralph said. “It is important that the younger generation get involved so small family farmers don’t die out.”

Jessica is excited about the future of her family’s farm and sees the need to have young people in the profession. One day she hopes to introduce Agritourism to their farm to help educate kids and interest them in the industry.

“I’d love to incorporate agritourism in the dairy we are starting,” Jessica said. “It is important for kids to see how agriculture works, learn about the industry and hopefully carry it back to their friends and family.”

Ralph and his family are thankful to be a part of a community with lots of neighbors in the industry who are always willing to lend a hand. They also enjoy the relationships they’ve built through the years with Peco’s team members. “Peco has great service technicians who have been with the company for a long, long time,” Ralph said. “Our service tech has been with us since the beginning and is now a close family friend. Those are the types of relationships you build with Peco.”