Meet West Tennessee Farmer Jason Luckey

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Meet Jason Luckey

The Dirt on the Farm


Farm Family: Luckey farms with his brother, Ken, and nephew, Zac.
Crops & Livestock: Corn, cotton, soybeans, winter wheat and beef cattle
Farm Location: Humboldt in West Tennessee
Farm Legacy: Luckey hopes his three children will add to his nephew in being the fifth generation to farm.
Farm Bureau Membership: He’s been involved for his whole life.

Q: Have you always dreamt of being a farmer?
A: It’s all I ever wanted to do. I rode with my dad from a very early age and was mad if he left me at home. Farming was so vital to him, and he instilled that in me. If mom had to take me to the dentist, she had to promise we would find dad after we were done. I majored in animal science at the University of Tennessee at Martin knowing I was coming back to the farm, but my dad was adamant I have a degree before I could farm with him.

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Q: Are you Farm Bureau Proud?
A: I am proud because of how Farm Bureau represents agriculture in a unified voice in the most positive light, bringing all aspects of agriculture together. From the partnership with the University of Tennessee to all the commodity groups, it is an organization that tries to put the best foot forward for agriculture.

Q: What are your biggest challenges and blessings on the farm?
A: One of the biggest challenges is the tough economy. With high inputs and technology fees, it seems like prices aren’t keeping up with the cost of production. Another challenge is the public’s perception that we are doing harm to the environment when protecting it is our utmost concern. When I read, “We are just out for the last dollar,” it hurts. I make decisions to spend more money to protect the environment – my children are growing up in that same environment, and if I abuse it, it won’t be there for my kids.

The blessings are abundant, I can’t explain how in the fall when the sky is that perfect shade of blue, the cotton field is that whitest white, the sun is shining so bright, and I think of how wonderful God is and how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. It just makes me marvel at how beautiful God’s world is and how blessed I am to be able to take care of it.

Q: What lessons have you learned on the farm you can’t learn anywhere else?
A: I learned you should stay out of areas where the cow poop is the deepest. That’s good advice for anyone! You learn as you go, but responsibility is a big one. You learn how to be dependable, because if you put something off, it not only doesn’t get done, but that animal or plant could be worse off because of you.

Q: How do you address preconceived notions about farmers and agriculture?
A: Being active in the community and letting people know what today’s farmers do. So many times at the coffee shop or church you can make yourself accessible, and people can ask questions. Most of the time, by the end of the conversation, you can tell they have a different perception. Be an advocate, and make sure you let people approach you. You can’t be defensive because they aren’t attacking – they just don’t understand what we do.

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