Mikka, a third-generation Riceland farmer, stepped up to carry on her family’s legacy, returning to the farm after her father's passing to keep their tradition alive.

Mikka Felty, from Greene County, knew she would pursue farming full-time. With the passing of both her grandfather and father, she stepped in to take over completely. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pursued a career as a labor and delivery nurse for eight years. Farming has always been a part of her life, and in 2022, Mikka made farming her full-time career and passion.

Mikka says her decisions have always revolved around agriculture. Being on the farm for most of her life, she recalls studying in the cab of a tractor during rice season for her nursing exams. She stayed active on the farm while working as a labor and delivery nurse, before taking over the farm full-time. “I don’t believe there are any boundaries or limitations for women in ag. As long as you put in the effort and knowledge, there’s no difference between a male and a female in the agricultural world.”

When managing her family’s farm, they have never felt the need for on-farm storage. She doesn’t store anything on her farm; everything is hauled straight to Riceland. Her grandparents, father, and uncle started doing it this way, and it still works well for her.

Being a farmer means dealing with many factors outside of one's control. With this year being one of those tough years for farmers, Mikka reflects on how she tries to keep a positive attitude through the challenges. “You can’t be a farmer with a glass-half-empty attitude,” Mikka says. “You have to put your all into it and just pray you get your all out. Half of it is smart numbers on paper, and the other half is hoping for good weather.”

Mikka emphasizes the importance of treating farming like a business. When working off something else’s clock, you must use your time wisely. “If something happens to your equipment, you have to fix it immediately. There’s no ‘fix it later.’’ Mikka is conscious of the time-sensitive nature of farming and implements that in her work.

Mikka was elected to the Riceland Foods Board of Directors in April 2025. She implements the knowledge she learned from her grandfather and father to pursue farming to the best of her ability every day.

We thank Mikka for her commitment to agriculture and are excited for her dedication to the cooperative in taking on this new role.