Small Farmer Success Story for Holmes County, MS

Sammie Jackson hosts Holmes County Heifer Grazing Land Demonstration Project

This Holmes County Heifer Grazing Land Demonstration Project is located on Mr. Sammie Jackson's farm and is developed and utilized as a means to provide hands-on training for small livestock producers--with extra effort for those with limited resources.  Once operational, this project will be open and available to the general public and will target Holmes and surrounding counties.

It will address livestock management techniques, grazing and grazing land needs, environmental concerns and steps to achieve sustainability.  The Holmes County Heifer Grazing Land Demonstration Project will provide services for anyone interested in grazing lands management.

This is a partnership among the Cooperative Extension Services of Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University, Heifer Project International, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency and the Holmes County Heifer Grazing Demonstration.

Mr. Sammie Jackson farm will serve as a good demonstration project.  The financial assistance that NRCS provides allows Mr. Jackson to use money otherwise targeted for conservation to be used to better his farming operation in other areas.  Mr. Jackson is an example of why the Small Farmer Initiative was created.

Wilson Murray, NRCS Outreach Coordinator

Sammie Jackson, Holmes County Agricultural producer

NRCS has helped me in many ways.  The conservation practices that I have implemented on my farm include fencing, pest and pasture management.  I needed a pond for my cattle and they helped with the money and the technical assistance.  I really appreciate what they have done for me.

The grazing program improved my farm a lot.  They came out and helped me install an electric cross fence and every day I move it in accordance with my grazing plan.  That way the cows don't trample the entire pasture.  The cows eat the grass down to a certain point and then I move them to another area.  It saves me money because I don't have to go and buy as much hay.

Before NRCS, I just did the best that I could.

Through the Heifer Project, I was able to get five cows, bred heifers.  In the program, you pass five bred heifers to someone else in the organization.  It has been working out well for me.

Nick Thomas, NRCS District Conservationist, Holmes County

We wrote a conservation plan for Mr. Jackson's farm and provided $2,417 to implement the plan.  The cost share was 100%.  Through Farm Bill Programs, we have provided Mr. Jackson with both financial and technical assistance in pasture management, erosion control and stabilization in critical areas, cross fencing and pond design and construction.

Farmers like Mr. Jackson are blessed with very fertile soil in which to farm. however these soils are very erosive.  That's where NRCS can help.

NRCS provided Mr. Jackson with a prescribed grazing plan which takes the guess work out of where and when to graze his cows.  Using a series of paddocks or cells, he avoids continuous grazing.  We would like to maximize his grazing potential as much as possible by managing the intensity frequency and duration of grazing periods.

Loretta Palmer, Holmes County Sustainable Agriculture Association

Our association is becoming more aware of NRCS programs that are out there.  We have had people come to our meetings and speak about the benefits of NRCS programs.   NRCS helped install a well and is working with Mr. Jackson on irrigation management on his farm.  So we see this and it encourages us.

We were formed as a group to better provide better food products for our community and to help the community to become more aware of sustainable agriculture practices and to be more aware of environmental issues that concern the citizens of Holmes County.

Jesse Strassburg, Heifer International Field Representative

Heifer Project International is a community development organization that works with families to help them become more self sufficient and sustainable and to help them apply for grants on their own.

"Pass On" is the key to project.  Mr. Jackson is given five bred heifers which he is responsible for raising.  He then passes on five bred heifers from those he was initially given.  It's an example of sustainable agriculture and it works.  Ask Mr. Jackson.

Some of the projects that can be seen on Mr. Jackson's farm.

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