If you live in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, it is very likely that you have heard of Big D Ranch in Meridian, Idaho. The family-owned operation has a commercial poultry and livestock feed business, a 1,400-acre row crop farm where they grow sugarbeets, wheat, hay, corn, and dry beans, and they even sell the best fresh sweet corn to the community.
Neil Durrant is the 4th generation involved with the operation. He has always wanted to farm because it is his passion. Farming and operating a family business pushes him to do better all the time. He even went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management in order to gain additional skills to help manage the business. Neil considers himself an optimist. When he plants seeds in the ground, he always has a feeling it will be the best year yet. He gets a lot of satisfaction out of farming and always strives to do better.
“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” – Will Rogers
In 2005, Neil met Melissa and they had an instant connection. They married in 2006 and now have 4 children (Caden 17, Dalten 16, Jaylee 12, and Kinzlee 5). Melissa grew up in Utah and her first job was actually irrigating fields and moving pipe at the farm next to her house. She always wanted to live in Idaho, so marrying Neil was perfect!
Both Melissa and Neil love that Big D Ranch is a family operation. Their children are all involved in some aspect of the business, and it has been fun to see their kids grow and take on more responsibility. It is a great way to raise kids. Their sons, Caden and Dalten are both participating in the Youth Sugarbeet Grower Program and each have 2.5 acres of sugarbeets that they are raising.
Melissa’s favorite part of the farm is the comradery during sugarbeet harvest. The whole family comes together to get the crop out of the ground. They have cousins and uncles that come just to help drive sugarbeet truck during harvest. It is amazing to see the extended family rally around their family business.
Farmers and ranchers face many challenges and Big D Ranch is no exception. With the growth in Idaho, there are now subdivisions surrounding their farm. It is getting harder to move equipment from field to field with the traffic. There are also changing dynamics in the state and less understanding about agriculture. Neil wants the general public to know that as a farmer he is doing his best to grow the safest food source for Americans.
Being active in their community and serving as a voice for agriculture is something both Neil and Melissa are passionate about. Neil started getting more involved after graduating from Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA). LIA is a 4-week leadership program. It ignited a spark in him, and he realized how passionate he was about advocating not only the agriculture industry but his way of life.
Neil is currently involved in several organizations including, President of the Ada County Farm Bureau, Past Chair of Leadership Idaho Agriculture, Board Member of the Idaho Bean Dealers Council, Treasurer for the US Dry Bean Council, Chapter President of the Ada County Grain Producers Association, and a Kuna FFA alumni and volunteer.
Melissa is also very active in Farm Bureau and has served in many roles including the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and was the National Discussion Meet Chair. In her spare time, she is working on earning her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.
Melissa Durrant is also currently serving in Idaho’s legislature as a Representative for District 23, House Seat A. She earned both the Food Producers of Idaho Ag All Star and the Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture awards during her term. Because Melissa is involved in production agriculture, she brings a unique perspective to the Idaho Capitol. She is able to bring a voice to the legislature that represents rural Idaho and agriculture. Representative Durrant is a champion for her district and pushes issues that matter to her constituents. We are incredibly lucky to have her serving in this capacity!
For those that live in Idaho, the primary election is on May 21st. Please vote and ensure that your voice is heard! Here is more information about where to vote: https://voteidaho.gov/
If you live in District 23, we highly recommend Representative Melissa Durrant for re-election! Here is more information about her campaign: https://www.durrantforidaho.com/