Although the number of Black farmers in the United States has drastically declined over the last century, Willis Nelson and his three brothers, Willie, Jr., Courtney, and Adrain, are actively turning the tide. Together, they are continuing a rich tradition of agriculture in Sondheimer, Louisiana.
What originally began as a small family farm has since scaled into a massive operation that spans over 4,000 acres across more than 100 miles of rich Louisiana Delta farmland. This growth comes after the brothers spent their childhoods farming the land alongside their father Willie E. Nelson, Sr., a foundational experience that ultimately inspired the Nelson sons to venture out on their own to continue the tradition.
Today, Nelson & Sons Farm operates as a robust row crop enterprise specializing in corn, cotton, rice, and soybeans. In addition to running a profitable business, the brothers strive to farm in a way that provides long-term sustainability to the fields. Furthermore, they are dedicated to providing opportunities for the next generation of growers in their family and in the community.
In this month’s Agripreneur Spotlight, Freedmen Heirs Foundation highlights Willis Nelson, whose strategic leadership and resilience are redefining what it means to sustain and protect Black agricultural wealth in the Delta.
From Fifty Acres to Full-Time Farming
As third-generation farmers, Willis Nelson and his brothers are not new to the farming lifestyle. Their great-grandfather was a sharecropper who, alongside other family members, was unable to purchase or keep the land they worked shortly after slavery. Eventually, however, the family broke through those barriers, and his grandfather acquired the initial 50 acres that started the family’s farming career. That initial purchase is what started it all, and the family has continued to grow and expand the tradition into the major operation it is today.
Building on that history, the brothers have been working the fields since they were children alongside their father. “We’ve been farming ever since we were kids, my three brothers and I with my dad,” Willis shared. “So in 2016, we decided that we wanted to farm full-time.”
After watching their father’s farm grow to over 200 acres, taking that leap to launch their own independent farm was a natural progression. And although the brothers still farm on the same foundation they established with their father, they have become much more strategic about their operational decisions in order to maximize efficiency and returns.
A Foundation Built on Brotherhood
Established in 2016, the primary focus of Nelson & Sons Farm is row crops, specifically corn, cotton, rice, and soybeans. Operating out of Sondheimer, Louisiana, the operation continues to build directly upon the legacy their father took from his grandfather. As Willis beautifully puts it, “It continues to build on what my dad left us and his dad, and also for the other farmers that lived through us that had opportunity, but it was taken away from them.”
What makes the farm uniquely special, however, is that it is run by four brothers. It is a rare sight to see family members from the same generation and lineage running a farm completely equally, especially when farming families usually leave and do not always return to the land. This success is largely due to the fact that the Nelson brothers respect one another and consistently listen to each other when it comes to planning decisions and the best interests of the farm.
In alignment with this mindset, Willis and his brothers want to ensure that the younger generation has concrete opportunities to be a part of the farm if they choose to do so. In fact, several of his nephews have already expressed a keen interest in farming.
Additionally, because Willis is a big advocate for education, he actively advises that younger people should gain external knowledge or experience first, either in college or through other career paths, and then return to the farm when they are ready. “They first have to go out and get a college degree, experience,” Willis notes, “and if they want to come back to the farm, great.”
Scaling Up and Modernizing The Operation
When Willis and his brothers decided to launch Nelson & Sons Farm, they were fortunate to use the equipment that their father used on his farm. However, in order to keep up with production, they have since had to buy a lot of new equipment because their father’s equipment simply could not sustain a 4,000-acre operation.
Additionally, over the years, Nelson & Sons Farm has adopted, and plans to continue adopting, innovative techniques that make their operation more efficient and align with conservation practices. For instance, some techniques that they are currently utilizing include vertical tillage to protect the soil’s health and integrity, alongside section-control sprayers to reduce chemical overspray and reduce inputs. Although Willis notes that the farm is about 6 to 10 years behind cutting-edge innovation adoption, they are nevertheless making incredible strides.
Breaking Through Industry Hurdles
Of course, running a farm has not always been clear skies and bountiful harvests. On the contrary, Willis says that they have had to overcome significant challenges throughout the operation. Foremost among those hurdles is access to capital and financing. To overcome this, the brothers have pooled their resources in order to secure the capital needed to scale.
Furthermore, Willis says another major challenge has been access to productive farmland that is fertile and well-drained. After all, not all land is created equal, and the physical location of the land plays a major role as well.
He also emphasized that acquiring financing and productive land can be rare opportunities, and that poor equipment or unproductive acres can severely harm financial returns. Additionally, Willis mentioned that equipment costs do not necessarily come down. Consequently, balancing debt vs. returns is also a constant constraint when considering how to navigate the volatile markets and day-to-day farming decisions.
Despite these distinct challenges, Willis and his brothers remain highly ambitious and continue to persevere. They aspire to grow the farm even more and remain optimistic about the future ahead. Additionally, since land access tends to be a common barrier to entry for new and beginning farmers, the Nelson brothers are also striving to provide affordable land opportunities to Black farmers who are just starting.
Guidance for the Next Generation and National Leadership
If Willis had to give his younger self advice, his first point would be to get good, productive land when you can, because those opportunities may be once in a lifetime. As he states, “You need to get good land and take advantage of what you have.” His next piece of advice is to slow down and think before every major purchase or decision, because one bad decision can set you back five to ten years.
Beyond his work in the field, Willis is heavily involved in farming off the field. He is currently the chairman of the National Black Growers Council, an organization whose mission is to improve the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Black row crop farmers. The organization actively strives to maintain communication among its members by sharing the latest information on current farming practices, and they work hard to get farmers’ voices heard on Capitol Hill.
To support this community, they also host annual Farm Field Days throughout the Southeast in order to bring people together to learn. Their next farm field day will be on August 7, 2026, in Marks, Mississippi. (Click here to view upcoming farm days for the remainder of the year). Additionally, Willis and his brothers were recently featured in a documentary called Harvest, which showcases the raw perspective of rural life in the United States. The film made its world premiere on June 6, 2026, at the Tribeca Festival in New York City.
Ultimately, the story of Nelson & Sons Farm proves that a lasting legacy requires both honoring the past and strategically building for the future. By expanding a historic 50-acre foundation into a thriving 4,000-acre enterprise, Willis Nelson and his brothers are showcasing the true power of resilience in Black agriculture. Through family unity, a commitment to innovation, and national advocacy, they are not only sustaining their own family tradition but are actively clearing a path for the next generation of Black farmers.
To learn more about Willis’ journey at Nelson & Sons Farm, please visit:
Website: Nelson & Sons Farm
Facebook: Nelson & Sons Farm
