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Troy’s operation currently
consist of about 400 acres, most of which is either in pasture or hay, where he
runs about 50 head of purebred Shorthorn cows and about 60 commercial cattle.
They keep a small show string for the grandkids and feed out a few animals each
year for slaughter. Troy also has two 600-foot breeder hen houses, which house
approximately 32,000 hens per flock. In addition to the cattle and poultry, he
also raises and feeds out about 100 head of hogs each year. He markets the
cattle and swine through the local FFA meat processing plant. He grows coastal
Bermuda grass hay for the race horse market in Hot Springs and also sells some
hay locally, as well as feeding his own herd.
Troy has been a vocational
agriculture teacher for 43 years. He taught for 21 years in the Hope school
system where he was instrumental in starting youth and FFA rodeos in Arkansas
with the help of Mr. Bubba Wade and others. The FFA chapter there operated a
custom hay bailing and hauling operation to provide work for 20-30 youngsters
each summer. During Mr. Buck’s tenure the Hope FFA chapter grew into the largest
chapter in Arkansas. Troy then moved to Alpine and started over, he is at a very
small school district called Centerpoint. With almost 300 members, Centerpoint
FFA is now the largest chapter in Arkansas. The chapter also operates the only
meat-processing program in the state. They have won several state and national
awards including top honors for the national Building Our American Communities
contest.
Troy has served several years
as president of the AVATA and is now serving as legislative liaison for that
organization.
Troy’s wife Wilma runs the
only store and post office in downtown Rosboro and that makes them literally the
center of the community. They have six grown daughters and seven grandchildren.
Troy serves as chairman on the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Unit
board. He has been a member of the Clark County Farm Bureau board of directors
for several years and for the last six years he served as president. He was
recently elected to the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors. Troy is also a
member of the Clark and Pike County Fair boards, and the local Lions Club. The
Bucks are members of the Amity United Methodist Church where Troy teaches Sunday
school. They are involved in many community development and FFA activities. |
