About Brent

Brent Jackson is Founder, President, and CEO of Jackson Farming Company, Inc. in Autryville, North Carolina. Under his leadership, the company maintains thousands of acres of farmland and the wide distribution of its produce to a variety of retailers. In addition to thirty years in farming, Jackson has contributed much to his community and industry through his involvement in civic and trade organizations.

Brent and Katie Mills, former NC Watermelon Queen

Among others, Jackson has served as Chairman of the Board of the National Watermelon Association, President of the North Carolina Horticulture Council, a Board Member of the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Additionally, Jackson served on the Board of the Sampson County Farm Bureau, the Sampson County Airport Authority and the Boards of the Clement Civic Center and Clement Fire Department.

An education advocate, Jackson served on the Board of Trustees of Sampson Community College and Midway School District Board. Jackson currently serves as a Board Member for the South River Electric Co-Op. A church leader, Jackson has served in numerous capacities, including Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Union Grove Baptist Church. Jackson has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 31 years. They raised three children, of which two are living, and are the proud grandparents of two beautiful grandchildren.

Acres under production in 2008
4300 total including double cropped acres
1500 acres of double cropped watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydews, strawberries, pumpkins, squash, and slicer cucumbers, 710 acres grown on black plastic and drip irrigation, 1000 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans, 600 acres of peanuts and 330 acres of flue cured tobacco.

Other Agriculture Interest
Jackson Farming Company owns two country grain elevators for the purpose of purchasing and storing corn, small grains, and wheat, from our farms and area farmers. In 2005 built and currently operate our own liquid fertilizer plant, which also supplies our farms and area farmers with drip fertilizer.

Business experience/history
In 1981 founded Jackson Farming Company as a Fresh Fruits and Vegetable grower/ shipper to grow and sell our own product. After a hail storm in 1992 that devastated all our crops, we began selling as a produce broker for other growers.
Since then both our growing and brokering business have grown over the years. We also have a small fleet of trucks to help deliver our fresh fruits, vegetables and grain to market. Our major markets are Local/Regional & National Chain Store Retailers.

Education and specialized experience
Clement Elementary and High School
Attended Courses at Sampson Community College
Attended Courses at NC State University

Church Activities
1980 to 2001               Union Grove Baptist Church -Church Moderator
1980 to 2001               Sunday School Teacher
1980 to 2001               Member Union Grove Baptist Church Choir
1992 to 2000               Member Union Grove Baptist Church Quartet
1982 to Present          Union Grove Baptist Church – Board of Deacons
2004 to 2006               Union Grove Baptist Church – Treasurer

Farm organizations and UDSA Appointments
NCWA               1995 to present        Board member-served all officers positions
NWA               1997 to 2002               National Watermelon Association Regular
Member of the Executive Committee
NWA               2002 to 2003               Second Vice President
NWA               2003 to 2004               First Vice President
NWA               2005 to 2007               President
NWA               2007 to 2008               Chairman of Board
NCVGA           1988 to 1998               Served all officers positions
NCHC              1992 to 1994               President-NC Horticulture Council
SCWA              1995 to Present         Out of State Member
GGINC             1987 to Present         Member Goodness Grows in NC
NWPB              1999 to 2001              Ambassador
SEPC               2000 to Present         Member Southeastern Produce Council
UFPA               2000 to Present        Member
NWPB               2001 to 2004             Board Member – USDA Appointment
NWPB               2002 to 2004             Chairman-Marketing Committee
NWPB               2005 to 2007             Board Member / Marketing Chm.
2006 – Testified before the US House Ag. Cmte on the 2007 Farm Bill for the Fruit & Vegetable Industry in North Carolina.
2006 – 2008  Out of State member of the following State Watermelon Chapters: Mar-Del, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TX-OK, Ill-Ind., CA-AZ, MS-ARK.
NWPB               Feb. 24, 2009 – Nominated to serve again on the Promotion board for a 3 year term

Other affiliations and appointments:
1990 to 1994               Samson County Farm Bureau Board
1990 to 1994               Sampson Community College-Bd of Trustees
Governor appointee
Jaycees-Outstanding Farmer Award
1980 to 1990               Board of Directors-Clement Fire Department
1999 to 2001               Board of Directors-Clement Civic Center
1992 to 1996               Midway School District-Advisory Board of Directors
1995 to 1999               Sampson County Airport Authority
2006 to Present          Elected Board Member for South River Ele. Membership Co-op