Working the land since 1886, we are a family-owned business headquartered in Marked Tree, Arkansas.

The right mix of patience and innovation has kept us going for five generations.

Today we specialize in commodity crops, blackberries, and fresh cut flowers.

Blackberries

We farm a 400-acre berry farm in Judsonia, Arkansas for wholesale providers regionally and nationally across the United States.

Fresh Cut Flowers

Our operation in Marked Tree, Arkansas grows high-quality peonies and sunflowers for cut flowers that are marketed to local and national retailers.

Row Crops

Ritter Agribusiness oversees 20,000+ acres of row crop farmland.

History

Ernest Ritter moved from his family’s farm in Iowa to work a timber and sawmill operation in Poinsett County, Arkansas in 1886. Shortly thereafter, he began acquiring, clearing, and farming substantial landholdings. Mr. Ritter and his wife, Anna, established various businesses for landowners, tenants, and residents across Northeast Arkansas, including a mercantile store, ice plant, bank, cotton gin, telephone company, and more. Since then, E. Ritter & Company has adapted through many social and economic changes and five generations of family members have proudly continued the Ritter legacy of hard work and entrepreneurship. Today the Ritter Family owns a portfolio of businesses in diverse industries operating in eight states. Read more about our full portfolio.

Ritter Agribusiness remains a 100% family-owned and respected agricultural businesses in Arkansas and the Delta region. Our management team brings experience in overseeing diverse agricultural assets and a solid track record of performance in the industry. We remain dedicated to long-term relationships with tenant growers and to stewardship of the land and water resources we manage for environmental conservation and sustainability.

Our Team

Erik Kesting

President

Bryan Curtis

Interim General Manager

Brandon Lawshe

Director – Flower Farm

Jake Smith

Operations Supervisor – Flower Farm

Christian Cullum

Operations Analyst – Flower Farm

Matt Wilson

Director – Berry Farm

Luis Munos

Farm Manager – Berry Farm

Betty Santos

Operations Coordinator

Audrey Boggs

Human Resource Manager

John Hood

Accounting Manager

Dorothy Collins

Accountant

Doug Carter

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

Trace Morgan

Facilities Maintenance

Marion Bearden

Assistant Farmland Manager

Dylan Sutton

Accounting Manager

Philanthropy

Our Mission

We aim to support and strengthen the communities we serve by providing resources, leadership, and necessary collaboration to meet local needs. Learn more about Philanthropic efforts of the Ritter Family business.

 

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