During last week’s Santa Rosa County Farm Tour, the Rick Hendricks family of Jay was recognized as this year’s Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family. Hendricks was humbled by the honor, especially seeing his family amongst the other recipients who were awarded the same honor, which also includes his parents B.D. and Virginia.
In addition to thanking the many organizations, like the Santa Rosa County IFAS Extension Office, the Natural Resources Conservation Service among other agencies which assists him and the other farming operations in Jay, Hendricks gives a lot of praise to his parents.
“I am humbled by the fact that my parents made these sacrifices for our family,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks said his parents worked hard in making the family farming operation into what it is today.
“My father started with a small farm,” he said. “My parents at times would work two jobs.”
Now Hendricks manages nearly 2,250 acres of farm land, which includes cotton, peanuts, hay and cattle usage.
Hendricks said he is also thankful for his family which includes his sister Vicki Laney and his wife Nina who assist with the large farming operation.
While the operation has grown, so has the price of farming and everything else needed to farm, he said, including fertilizers and tractor equipment. Hendricks gave an example of his first big purchase as a teenager in the mid-1970’s.
“My first pickup truck was $5,600 and that was brand new,” Hendricks said.
He said the main challenges a farmer faces today are the prices of commodities and the weather. While Hendricks said he and other farmers have little to no impact on the changing values of both cotton and peanuts, he was fortunate during this season’s spotty rainfall, thanks to various fields his operation manages. While one portion of his farmland would see a decrease in rainfall, another would see an adequate amount, he said.
Regardless of how a crop turns out, Hendricks said it comes with the territory.
“It’s hard work, but is satisfying to plant that seed and watch it grow,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay family receives Outstanding Farm Family of the Year