Lucas Goodman is a third-generation farmer from Hickman, Kentucky. Along with his dad and a full-time employee, he farms a couple thousand acres producing corn, wheat and soybeans.
By Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist
Lucas Goodman is a third-generation farmer from Hickman, Kentucky. Along with his dad and a full-time employee, he farms a couple thousand acres producing corn, wheat and soybeans. Goodman is a newly-elected member of the Fulton County Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee.
Goodman said he never had a doubt about returning to the farm, established by his grandfather. In 2010, after he completed college and graduate school, he joined the farm full time.
“I’ve grown up on this farm,” Goodman said. “It’s always been a part of my life.”
Goodman was approached last year about becoming a nominee to serve on the local FSA county committee. After doing some research on what the job would entail, he decided it would be beneficial to be involved. He was elected and took office Jan. 1, 2018.
County committee members are elected by their peers and are a direct link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers on the committee help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level, help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer and work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.
On his farm in western Kentucky, Lucas Goodman produces corn, wheat and soybeans. He utilizes GPS technology on his farming operation.
As a new member, Goodman attended training to learn about the responsibilities of the county committee. He sees his role as a member as helping make the overall FSA experience at the local level the best it can be, as well as making sure programs are administered consistent with federal law and in an efficient manner.
“As county committee members, we should focus our role on customer service to the farmers and ranchers,” he said.
He also feels it is his role to help educate producers in his community about FSA programs and letting them know the committee serves on behalf of all producers.
“You are their voice and you support them,” Goodman said. “Starting here, with the local committee, very important decisions can be made. That is where it all begins.”
For more information on FSA county committee elections, contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
For the digital version of this blog visit our interactive story map and check back as we add all of our county committee spotlights.
