Jesse Hegemann with his wife, Joni, and their three children, Madison, Kennedy, and Peyton. Photo by Sydney Erickson, FSA.

By Sydney Erickson, FSA, Nebraska 

Meet Jesse Hegemann, a first-generation farmer and rancher from Burchard, Nebraska. Growing up, Jesse developed a passion for agriculture while helping on his uncles’ farms and watching his dad raise hogs. He aspired to start his own operation, but without an easy claim to land, it seemed like a difficult path to pursue until he found a unique opportunity with a local farmer.  

A Valuable Connection 

“Growing up my mom and dad owned the local plumbing and heating business in Howells,” he said. “My dad always wanted to come back and farm full-time, but the ‘80s hit, and my grandpa said that wasn’t going to be able to happen. He was still active and had hogs, but the hog business eventually ended up selling out.”  Continue reading →

Michelle Eckhart picks peaches in the orchard on Sweet Berry Farm. Photo courtesy of Sweet Berry Farm.

By Leila Naylor, FSA, Rhode Island

Jan and Michelle Eckhart are the owners and operators of Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island. What began as a small farm primarily growing strawberries has turned into a labor of love. In addition to strawberries, the Eckharts now grow cherries, cane berries, peaches, blackberries, pumpkins and more on their 100-acre farm.

Growing the Operation

Jan and Michelle started out only farming part-time, both working full-time jobs and selling their produce out of small coolers and fresh-cut flowers out of buckets at a few local farmers markets.

They reached their turning point in 1996 and decided it was time to quit their full-time jobs to follow their passion. To become full-time farmers, Jan and Michelle realized they needed to acquire more land. Continue reading →

By Samantha Blair, Latoyia Elliott and Samantha Turner, FSA, Virginia 

Meet Elisha Barnes, a fourth–generation farmer from Southampton County, Virginia. Elisha’s love of agriculture began while working in his family’s peanut fields at the age of six. He purchased his own farm in 1989 where he continues to grow peanuts, along with soybeans, corn, and a variety of produce, only stopping to rest on rainy days and Sundays. 

Farmer Elisha Barnes with FSA County Executive Director in Training Latoyia Elliott in front of the Southampton County USDA Service Center. Photo by Samantha Turner, FSA.

Getting Started 

At 15, Elisha wanted to quit school to become a full-time farmer, but his father insisted that he finish his formal education. His father was unable to finish school and wanted his children to have the opportunities that he didn’t.  Elisha went on to finish school and later graduate with a degree from Nashville Auto Diesel College. His degree has paid off, allowing him the ability to work on and fabricate to fit the needs of his operation.   Continue reading →

Allison and Chris are the fourth generation of the Jaswell family to own and operate Jaswell’s Farm in Smithfield. Photo by Paul Marcello, Jaswell’s Farm.

By Leila Naylor, FSA, Rhode Island 

Meet siblings Allison Jaswell Molis and Chris Jaswell, fourth–generation owners and operators of Jaswell’s Farm located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, the state’s Apple Valley. The farm consists of 80 acres, 20 of which are apple orchards producing 12 different varieties. In addition to apples, they grow an assortment of specialty flowers and vegetables, including asparagus, cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, pumpkins, sweet corn, and tomatoes. Even though most of Smithfield’s orchards have faded away, Jaswell’s Farm continues to thrive.  Continue reading →

JC Chandler with his parents, Amy and Chris Chandler. Photo by Sabrenna Bryant, FSA.

By Sabrenna Bryant, FSA, South Carolina

Meet John “JC” Chandler of Belton, South Carolina, where his herd of Charolais cattle is his pride and joy. While he’s only 17, JC has already become an agriculture leader in his school and community. Currently, JC has a total of 17 cows in his herd, including eight commercial cows, seven Charolais, a steer and a limousine cow.

The Ninth Generation

JC’s parents, Amy and Chris, run a small operation in Belton where they raise commercial cattle, particularly Black Angus and Baldy. While their operation has nurtured his passion for agriculture, his family’s long running history with the Charolais breed inspired him to start his own herd with Charolais cattle.

“Growing up, I loved listening to all the stories about the Charolais cows from my grandfather,” said JC.  “He grew up with Charolais and he loves them. I felt it was my duty to bring them back.”

Continue reading →