🚜 From the Delta to Dynasty: The Life and Lessons of John L. Conner Jr.

Episode notes

Free Arkansas Podcast | Hosted by Andy McNeillJohn L. Conner Jr. is one of Arkansas’ most accomplished farm entrepreneurs — from buying his first 520-acre farm in 1972 for $325 an acre to leading one of the state’s largest John Deere dealership networks and building a family dynasty that spans agriculture, fuel, construction, and more.In this episode, Andy McNeill sits down with Conner to talk about the realities of Arkansas farming in 2025 — the rising costs, shrinking margins, and generational changes reshaping the Delta. Conner also shares the story of his family’s 150-year legacy in Newport and what it takes to build and sustain a business legacy in rural America.🎙️ Topics Include:🌾 How farmland rose from $325 to $8,500 an acre — and why it’s still hard to make money farming💧 Irrigation, drought, and the evolution of East Arkansas row crops🏗️ Building the Holden Conner Company ⛽ Expanding into fuel, construction, and HVAC — and what it takes to manage it all💰 Why 90% of producers lost money in 2024 and what’s ahead for Arkansas agriculture 💡Advice for the next generation of Arkansas entrepreneurs📍 Watch now and learn how a lifetime of farming, risk, and resilience shaped one of the state’s great business success stories.👉 Subscribe for more conversations with Arkansas’ most influential leaders