Farming has been part of Tara Barrett-Duzan's family for generations. Although she grew up on the farm, she envisioned a different future.
"I knew I wanted to be a journalist," Tara said. "I was very curious. I like to ask a lot of questions."
After college, she became a reporter at WAND in Decatur, covering breaking news and building a career she loved.
A Life-Changing Decision
Everything changed in 2009 when Tara's brother, who farmed alongside their father, was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Her dad needed help and asked if she'd return to the farm. Tara said yes, leaving television news behind to work beside him while spending more time with her young daughter.
"I learned a lot in a short amount of time," she said. "In farming you're constantly learning, and if you're not, you're going to get left behind."
Losing Her Dad and Stepping Up
In 2018, Tara's father was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and given about six months to live. Despite the pain, he continued farming through one final planting season while helping Tara prepare to take over.
When he passed away, Tara faced a difficult reality.
"It was either going to be me or nothing," she said.
She reached out to landlords, farm managers and longtime business partners, asking them to trust her to continue the operation. They did. With their support and the relationships her father had built over decades, she learned to run equipment, manage the farm and carry on her family's legacy.
Today, she farms alongside her husband, who left his career to join the operation full-time, and their son.
A Documentary Years in the Making
Years later, Tara's journey became the subject of the feature-length documentary
The Farmer's Daughter.
The project was created by a former WAND co-anchor and photographer who spent a year filming Tara and her family, followed by another year editing the documentary.
One of the film's greatest treasures came from a box of old VHS tapes Tara nearly threw away. The filmmakers uncovered home videos of her father, brother and family that otherwise may never have been preserved.
"When we saw the final product, we were pretty in shock and awe," Tara said. "They told the story really nicely."
The documentary also captures interviews with her mother and grandmother, highlighting the strength, challenges and close bonds that define many farm families.
"I think a lot of people will relate to it," Tara said. "I think about the time I got to spend with my dad before he passed away and all the memories we created. I wouldn't have had that if I'd stayed in my reporting job."
A Story Still Being Written
While Tara still remembers the excitement and unpredictability of reporting, she's grateful for the unexpected path that brought her home.
Tara's journey has been shaped by loss, resilience and determination. Today, alongside her husband and son, she's continuing the legacy her father entrusted to her.
