New Farm in Northwest Arkansas Will Increase Access to Fresh Produce

BERRYVILLE, AR — The Conservation Fund has entered its first farm partnership in Northwest Arkansas with Kings River Produce. Located just an hour from the rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas metro communities, the farm will be permanently protected through TCF’s Farms Fund program, and Kings River Produce will have an opportunity to purchase the farm following a four-year leasing period.   

The Conservation Fund’s Farms Fund is dedicated to buying and protecting at-risk farmland, connecting skilled farmers to that land, and supporting those farmers’ growth while giving them a pathway to affordable ownership. The Farms Fund program was founded in Atlanta in 2022, expanding into Northwest Arkansas in 2025 with support from the Walton Family Foundation. The program launched following a regional assessment conducted by The Conservation Fund that identified a critical gap in farmer support: affordable, patient pathways to farmland ownership.  

“We’re thrilled to work with Kings River Produce to help strengthen the state’s local food systems,” says Pam Nelson, Northwest Arkansas Program Manager at The Conservation Fund, “This project is just one example of what our Farms Fund program can do in Northwest Arkansas. In the face of disappearing farmland, we’re eager to scale solutions that can address farmland loss and create new farm businesses.” 

In Northwest Arkansas, farmers face growing competition from housing and commercial development. According to the USDA’s most recent Census of Agriculture, the state lost more than 4,800 farms and 166,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022. The Northwest Arkansas Farms Fund program aims to help address this problem by protecting properties like the one in Berryville and connecting that land with a new generation of farmers. 

When Jacob came to the Farms Fund, he was considering leaving vegetable production. Operating on leased land, he lacked the infrastructure needed to grow his business but couldn’t justify investing in improvements on property he did not own. Scaling his vegetable operation was out of reach. Thanks to the partnership with The Conservation Fund, his aspirations can become reality. 

“My farming roots run deep, and nothing brings me more joy than serving my community,” says Jacob Rowell, the owner of Kings River Produce, “I’m excited to work with the Farms Fund program to ensure fresh produce is more accessible and affordable for residents.” 

Jacob has worked on farms since he was a teenager. He has experience producing a diverse range of crops — including tomatoes, squash, salad green mixes, livestock and more. At the farm in Berryville, Jacob plans to collaborate with a mentor farmer, creating a mutually supportive partnership focused on production techniques and market development. He also hopes to create opportunities for new and beginning farmers to gain hands-on experience before transitioning to their own properties. 

Since 2022, The Farms Fund program has expanded to Chicago and Charlotte, in addition to Northwest Arkansas. Since its founding, the program has matched 24 farm businesses to land, protecting approximately 1,820 acres. 

Any farmers or landowners in Northwest Arkansas who are interested in collaborating with the Farms Fund can contact Pamela Nelson at pnelson@conservationfund.org. 

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities, and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.