A Chat with Sunnyland President
In celebration of #AgHeroDay, we sat down with Larry Willson- 2nd generation Sunnyland president and 3rd generation pecan farmer. Larry’s dedication to Sunnyland Farms and its commitment to “only the best” spans five decades. Larry considers farming the ultimate gamble but the most rewarding, especially the farming of pecans. In this pursuit Larry has been joined by his wife Beverly and their eldest son Alex Willson.
Q: Tell us about your time at Sunnyland Farms.
Larry: “I’ve been at Sunnyland Farms/ Willson Farming for goodness 46 years, I came back in 1978. So we’re going on my 47th year. My main job for the first 40 years was running the farming operation and growing the pecans we sold in our mail order business.”
Q: What moment are you most proud of at Sunnyland?
Larry: “The happiest moment of my time at Sunnyland Farms is when our eldest son, Alex, came back to work for us in 2015. Alex had been out in the business world for a while and he brought back a lot of insights. These have helped to sustain and grow Sunnyland.”
Q: Share the biggest life lesson you have learned from the agriculture industry.
Larry: “You’ve got to have patience. You have to be hopeful. Be encouraged by what might come. It’s a gamble growing pecans or any crop. It’s necessary that you be patient, industrious and hardworking. My friends in this industry, mostly family businesses, all exhibit these traits. I think most farmers do”