Planting the Seeds

PlantingtheSEEDS

LANCE JACKSON REPRESENTS FLORIDA’S NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS

By Rachel Bertone

THE AVERAGE AGE OF U.S. FARMERS may be in the late 50s, but a new crop of young farmers is taking the lead to move the industry forward. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture in 2017, 2,838 principal operators of Florida farms are between the ages of 25 and 34, and 331 are under the age of 25. One of those young farmers is Holmes County native Lance Jackson, a cotton, peanut and cattle farmer.

“I grew up on a small family farm in Graceville, where my father had a small herd of cattle and worked with some produce to generate extra income,” Jackson says. “Being around the farm as I was growing up, I became more interested in making this my lifelong career so I could do my part in feeding and clothing society.”

Now 35, Jackson says his farming career took off at the young age of 15 when he grew his first few acres of peanuts. Today, he farms 500 acres in the Florida Panhandle, 250 each of cotton and peanuts. He also recently purchased a small herd of cattle.

“My peanuts are sold through a broker to a candy company, and the cotton I produce is exported to China,” Jackson says.

He says that although his family used the farm only for extra income, being surrounded by crops, livestock and the farming lifestyle led Jackson to his true passion: a career in agriculture.

“My father still has a small herd of cattle today,” Jackson says.

AGRICULTURE ADVOCATE

To help increase interest and advocate for the industry, Jackson is an active member of the Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group. He currently represents District 1 and says his goal is to not only become a great leader for agriculture but also to help others succeed.

“I’m proud to be part of this organization because it gives me the opportunity to communicate with other Florida Farm Bureau members and talk one-on-one with them about their needs and concerns,” Jackson says. “This is really important to me, because I’m helping to keep the voice of agriculture heard.”

The Leadership Group consists of a select number of agriculturalists who grow and learn specific skills to help them succeed at the local, state and national levels. This includes skills such as public speaking, legislative awareness, media training and more.

“Being involved has allowed me to develop new relationships with several other farmers and ranchers in Florida and learn more about agricultural diversity in the state,” Jackson says. “While visiting the Capitol with our group, I was able to make lots of connections in politics and address situations that we all face with our operations.”

Along with the Leadership Group, Jackson also serves on his local Holmes County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Agriculture is a major, diverse industry for Florida, and Jackson says it’s the perfect place for young farmers to begin their careers or carry on a family legacy. It offers ample opportunities for diversification.

“Florida is a great place for young farmers because of its fertile soil, numerous growing seasons and variety of crops,” he says.

Jackson doesn’t deny that farming can be tough, and sometimes – especially for younger farmers – it can be hard to break into the industry if they have no prior experience. But he says the outcome is so rewarding that it outweighs the challenges.

Briana and Lance Jackson

“At the beginning, it is a rough row to hoe,” Jackson says. “But at the end, you can look back and stand proud to see what you’ve accomplished. Never give up on your dreams.”

He also encourages young people who are thinking of getting into agriculture not to let others hold them back.

“If your heart is there and it’s something you really want, there’s nothing you can’t overcome, no matter how big the storm,” he says.