Catfish Farmers of the Year
Houston Battle
Houston is part owner of Battle Fish Farm and Pride of the Pond processing plant in Tunica, Mississippi. He grew up on the family fish farm, diligently working his way up to now operate the farm alongside his father, Bill Battle, and brother, Cooper Battle. Houston’s analytical skills have driven key renovations on the farm to optimize the family business.
Houston earned his degree in business administration at Mississippi State University. In 2019, he married his beautiful wife, Hannah, in Snowmass, Colorado. Houston currently serves on the Catfish Farmers of America board and participates in the Young Farmers Leadership Program.
See Houston's Recipe
Tommy Moyers
Tommy grew up in an Arkansas logging family. After serving as a National Guard medic and farming cotton, he returned to his logging roots—ultimately founding Moyers Logging in 1994 with his two sons and a family friend.
Tommy always had an interest in catfish farming and diligently studied the subject. In 2000, he started Moyers Fish Farm with his youngest son. Tommy still plays an active role on the Portland, Arkansas, farm. He is an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoys spending time outdoors with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
See Tommy's Recipe
Heath Clary
Heath Clary is a first-generation catfish farmer from Greensboro, Alabama. After years of learning through hands-on experience working with his family’s catfish seining business, he bought his first catfish farm in 2016. He expanded his operation with a second farm in 2020.
Whether implementing new technology to improve efficiency on the farm or adapting to changing market dynamics, Heath constantly strives to make a positive impact on both the industry and the communities he serves. Heath and his wife, Christina, have three sons. When they are not on the farm, they enjoy hunting, fishing, football, basketball and baseball.
See Heath's Recipe
Farmers of the Year are chosen annually from a large field of many deserving catfish producers in the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry. Although it is a difficult task to select just one farmer from each of the top three catfish-producing states, those who are selected embody the spirit of the American farmer. All have made significant contributions to the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry. Every year, The Catfish Institute (TCI) utilizes these individuals in various advertising campaigns. Each farmer is an important part of promoting U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish and raising public awareness of the quality and benefits of eating U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. Roger Barlow, president of TCI, said, “We want to provide a connection between the farm-raised catfish that people know and love and the hundreds of family farms that dot the Southern United States where these fish are grown. The Catfish Farmers of the Year are the face of the American farmer producing an American product for the American consumer.”