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CARING FOR
Land and Community By Corey Darnell, Videographer and Graphic Designer
ALAN JONES, OWNER OF JONES POTATO FARM, is no stranger to the produce world. Jones produces potatoes, green beans, citrus and cattle on 2,500 acres in Southwest Florida. With multiple locations across the area, the main operation is in Manatee County where the focus is on potato and green bean production. Jones has been farming his entire life, but it wasn’t until 1987 that he and his father began farming in the southern region of Florida. He managed the field operations while his father managed the office side of the enterprise. In 2000, Jones bought out his father’s part of the business. “He really gave me a great opportunity and I have been fortunate enough to seize that and really develop the business into something more”, said Jones. About 10 years ago, Jones became involved with his local county Farm Bureau when he was invited to serve on the county board. It was at that time that he learned just how much Farm
“THE BEST THING YOU CAN GIVE SOMEONE IS AN OPPORTUNITY AND TIME.
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Bureau is involved in agriculture, not only locally, but statewide and across the nation. “It’s something that I am proud to be involved with,” he said. “We need help from an agricultural standpoint. We deal with so many day-to-day things that we don’t have time to deal with the legislative and regulatory agencies. It helps to have a spokesperson such as Farm Bureau.” Farmers are the original stewards of the land and Jones believes in that. In 2016, he was recognized with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award. The award recognizes farmers and ranchers for the successful implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). “The CARES program for the state of Florida recognizes people for doing the right thing. We are the first stewards of the land” said Jones. “When you see the CARES sign in the community while driving by, it’s kind of like a signature.”
FLORIDAGRICULTURE | APRIL/MAY 2019
On his operation one of the important BMPs that he utilizes is field and soil mapping. This technology allows him to have an in-depth look at the land and soils he is farming so he knows which fields are the best and which ones he should improve. Jones is very involved in giving back to his community. Each year Jones Potato Farm donates a portion of the harvest to Feeding America in Tampa Bay, a food rescue and distribution organization. Every year, Jones also has people from the community come to learn about his operation. The farm invites the community to learn about agriculture firsthand by hosting farm tours for various school groups. Jones said the students always enjoy the trip to the potato fields and even the parents in the community have positive experiences as well. “It’s a real heartfelt feeling when you see the community connecting with agriculture,” he said.
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