Meet the Millers
If you have ever driven from Lubbock to Brownfield, TX, you have probably noticed the impressive pecan orchard owned and managed by Dustin and Jessica Miller. The 360 total acres of pecan trees consists of approximately 240 acres of mature trees and 120 acres of young trees. Varieties of pecans found throughout the Terry County orchard consists mostly of Western Schley and Pawnee.
Pecan growing runs deep in the Miller family. Dustin’s grandfather, Harlan Miller, planted 80 acres of pecans in Seagraves in the 1950’s. Jim Miller, Dustin’s father, currently owns and operates that orchard.
After Dustin and Jessica graduated from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University, they knew they wanted to farm pecans. Being that Dustin grew up in the industry and was now equipped with an Agricultural Economics degree, he had a good foundation to start his business growing and marketing pecans. The couple got started in 2003, when they purchased the mature orchard in Brownfield from Mr. Kenneth Baker.
“We were fortunate to be able to purchase our place in Brownfield, and have since expanded,” Jessica says. “Growing pecans is something our family is very passionate about. It is an industry that has been good to us, providing for our family, over the years.”
The Miller family takes pride in knowing their efforts and orchard contribute to the local foodshed.
“Knowing the pecans that we grow are helping feed families and being baked up in someone’s pie is very rewarding,” Jessica said. “We love being outside and working in the orchards. Spending valuable time with family while we are working is a dream come true.”
The Miller’s pecans are marketed to pecan shellers, they are sold based on price per point/shell out percentage to the highest offer. Once they are shelled, the pecans are sold to end users and consumers.
Future plans for the family business are to maintain the health of the orchards, grow high quality pecans for the consumer, and possibly expand by planting more acres of pecan trees.
