Jake Carter from McDonough, GA has been elected the new Chairman for the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. He takes over in February and will serve for one year. This honor will also allow him to serve one-term on the AFBF Board of Directors.
Carter graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business management. He then returned to the farm and began transforming the former dairy operation into a 320-acre agritourism site. It is now known as Southern Belle Farm and he operates it alongside his wife, Jennifer. The farm offers u-pick strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, a corn maze and educational school tours year round.
Carter is passionate about connecting with consumers, especially those who have been misled about what farming is all about.
“We need to put a face on farming and show people what we do how, how we do it and why,” Carter said. “We enjoy giving people a sense of where their food comes from. That’s not an option for most farmers and ranchers, but there are other ways to connect, like social media.”
As YF&R Chair, he said the committee is dedicated to Farm Bureau’s grassroots structure will really focus on turning big ideas into action.
Chuck caught up with him and he shared what was on the political plate for 2014 and what opportunities are out there for young farmers nationwide.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jake here: Interview with Jake Carter