The Taylor Family Legacy: Three Generations in Arkansas Timber and Forestry

As you drive the highways and backroads of Arkansas, it's hard to miss the towering pine trees stretching across the landscape. With over half of the state covered in forest, it's no wonder Arkansas is known as The Natural State. Behind these forests are the hardworking families who make their living in the timber and forestry industry—quiet stewards of the land who pass their knowledge down through generations.

These families are the backbone of the industry, and each has a unique story of perseverance and growth. The Taylor family of Grant County is one such story, with three generations bound together by timber, trucking, and a love for the land.

Roots in Timber

The Taylor family's heritage in forestry began in 1967 with one man named Shelby Taylor. Armed with two chainsaws, a log truck, and his wife, JoAnn, as his bookkeeper, he started cutting salvaged timber that was damaged or struck by lightning.

His small-scale start was just the beginning. Shelby realized there was opportunity in hauling, not just harvesting, and stepped into trucking—laying the foundation for what would become a family business. Working for large timber companies, he hauled logs to a mill in Hot Springs, and before long, Shelby Taylor Trucking was born.

Shelby also dreamed of owning land. For years, he could only purchase 20–40-acre tracts at a time, until opportunity struck. International Paper decided to sell much of their property in the area, and Shelby finally had a chance to buy in.

For Shelby, finally being able to purchase significant tracts of land was a dream realized.

"He couldn't get enough of it because his whole life and career, he didn't have a chance to buy it," recalls Shelby's son, Bobby Taylor, now president of the company.

From that point forward, the heart of the Taylor family business has been clear: growing trees.

"We love growing trees. It's our business," Bobby says. "We're loggers and we want a healthy forest, and if it's a healthy forest, it will be there forever."

Passing the Torch

While the company is thriving today, that success was built on decades of careful planning. In 1996, Shelby began handing the reins to his son, Bobby, ensuring the next generation was ready to lead. As part of that succession plan, Shelby made sure Bobby learned the business from the ground up.

Bobby spent summers working in the woods with a chainsaw, fixing truck flats, and tackling whatever tough jobs came up.

"One day, I asked my dad, 'Am I just going to fix truck flats all my life? I can't stand it,'" Bobby recalls. "And he said, 'Do you know why you're doing that? One day you're going to hire somebody and they're going to tell you they know how to do it, but if you don't know how to do it, how are you going to know they're doing it right?'"

Those lessons shaped Bobby's leadership style and gave him an appreciation for the people who keep the business moving. Today, Shelby enjoys retirement in the deer woods and by the lake, while Bobby oversees daily operations.

A Company of Families

The Taylors are not the only family invested in the success of Shelby Taylor Trucking. Loyalty runs deep among their team, which includes about 50 people— among them multiple father-son pairs and even grandchildren of longtime employees.

Their longest-tenured employee, Clarence, has been driving trucks since the company's beginning. This sense of family, both by blood and by bond, has kept the business rooted for nearly six decades.

The Next Generation

Loyalty isn't just found among their employees, but runs in the Taylor family as well. The third generation has now joined the business, with Grant, Shelby's grandson and Bobby's son, serving as vice president and in-house attorney.

"It's really good, but it's challenging," Bobby admits about working alongside his son. "He makes me a way better person. I'm real outgoing and chatty, and he's a thinker. We make a good team."

Grant earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2022. While Bobby hoped he would return to the family business, he knew it wasn't guaranteed. Luckily, Grant found his way back, and today his legal expertise is invaluable for managing contracts.

Grant has also introduced fresh ideas, including an incentive program that pays drivers by the load with bonuses for surpassing goals. "We want to reward people who put in the extra work," he says.

Technology has become another of Grant's focus areas. He's implemented apps to map land tracts, tracking systems on trucks, and even drones for surveying timber. These tools have made the operation more efficient and, as Bobby puts it, "changed the game."

The family has also stepped into a new era of outreach, sharing their story on social media and even welcoming Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to their operation during the state's "Capital for a Day" initiative.

Partners in Growth

New ideas and technology have carried the business forward, but through every stage of growth, the Taylors say having a reliable financial partner has been key. For them, that partner has been Farm Credit.

"Farm Credit makes it as easy as possible," says Grant. "It's extremely convenient."

Both Bobby and Grant point to fixed-rate financing and a staff that understands the timber industry as reasons they continue to rely on Farm Credit. They also frequently use AgDirect, powered by Farm Credit, to finance equipment purchases and keep their operation moving quickly.

That kind of partnership allows the Taylors to focus on what they do best—growing timber, running trucks, and managing a company where family and community come first.

A Lasting Legacy

Nearly six decades after Shelby picked up his first chainsaw, Shelby Taylor Trucking stands as proof that deep roots and strong partnerships can shape a lasting future. Like the forests they tend, the Taylors' legacy continues to grow, thrive, and stand the test of time.