Richard and his family manage Big D Ranch in Meridian. When Richard grew up on his family’s farm, they were raising 80,000 laying hens, milking 300 dairy cows and farming 500 acres.
The chickens and cows are now gone and the Durrants farm about 1,500 acres of wheat, corn, sugar beets, mint and other seed crops under irrigation. Big D also has a two-million bushel country elevator and a feed store to serve the needs of local farmers.
“I enjoy working with producers from all over the state,” said Durrant. “I am always talking to other growers and listening to their concerns and ideas about wheat prices, marketing and opportunities for dollars and return on investment.”
The Durrants were the Leadership Idaho Agriculture Farm Legacy Family in 2018 and the Western Idaho Fair Farm Family in 2016.
As time passed and his children desired to be a part of the farming legacy, Richard recognized the need to evaluate and evolve our farming operation to provide additional opportunities for my children to return. Through planning and hard work, Durrant says his family has been fortunate to make this a reality.
“Allowing my children and grandchildren the opportunity to be a part of our farming heritage and engaged in agriculture brings a great deal of satisfaction to me as a father,” said Durrant. “My family is the greatest blessing in my life and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have raised them on a family farm in Idaho.”
Richard is a lifetime member of the Idaho Grain Producers Association and an active supporter of state and local FFA.
Richard was on the Department of Agriculture Pesticide Licensing Committee from 1988 to 2006. He serves as the chairman of the Department of Agriculture Seed Indemnity Fund and as president of the Ada County Farm Bureau.
Richard is currently a candidate for vice president of the Idaho Farm Bureau.
“I recognized a long time ago that I had a duty to stand up and work at providing a stable agricultural environment that would allow my family and other farmers and ranchers the ability to prosper and live an American dream,” said Durrant.
