Leadership Fayette Session 6 Celebrates National Agriculture Day with a Deep Dive into Fayette County Farming

On March 18, 2025, National Agriculture Day, the sixth session of Leadership Fayette convened at the historic Sullivan Farm, offering participants a deep and hands-on look at the backbone of the county’s rural identity: agriculture. With five generations of farming heritage, Sullivan Farm served as the perfect backdrop to reflect on the county’s past, present, and future in farming.

Once the largest employer in Fayette County, agriculture has evolved with the rise of technology. Larger, more automated equipment now does the work of many, dramatically reducing the number of employees needed. Tractors and combines, once entirely human-operated, can now drive themselves with the proper settings. Planting equipment has also become more efficient, offering precise and automated options that increase productivity.

Today’s average Fayette County farmer is in their 50s, managing between 40 and 50 acres. But some operations, like Sullivan Farm, span nearly 1,000 acres—of which they own about 30%. Back in the day, farmers produced 50 to 60 bushels of corn per acre; now, with innovations in machinery and techniques like skip-row planting, farmers are seeing yields upwards of 250 bushels.

Attendees learned about crop rotation, cover crops that restore soil nutrients, and the ongoing preparations for the current planting season. Many farms in the region grow corn, peas, and soybeans, planting beans earlier in the season to take advantage of growing conditions. Cotton, while still grown, comes at a steep price—roughly $500 per acre to plant, with a single bag of seed costing $750. Still, one acre of cotton can yield enough fiber to produce 430 pairs of jeans, while an acre of corn can contribute to 60,000 soft drinks (thanks to corn syrup), and an acre of soybeans can produce 80,000 crayons.

Cattle farming was another focus of the day. Ryan Thomas, a local cattleman, described both his cow/calf operation and his custom beef business. Calves are raised to about 600 pounds, with prices for 600–700-pound steers hovering a little over $2,000 due to high market prices driven by drought-related herd liquidations.

In the custom beef model, steers are pasture-raised to around 1,400–1,500 pounds. Customers purchase the animal before it goes to processing, paying based on live or carcass weight. A typical carcass weighs approximately 850 pounds and can feed a family of four for more than a year. Trimmings not used in custom cuts often end up in store-bought ground beef.

Steve Reeves, a multigenerational farmer and banker, gave historical context to Fayette’s agricultural heritage. At one time, the county was known as the “egg capital,” complete with an annual egg festival. While that title has faded, the region’s commitment to agriculture remains strong.

Extension Officer Jeff Via spoke about the ongoing work of the Extension Office, which supports farmers with unbiased research on topics ranging from crop variety and fertility to livestock health and nutrition. The office also manages emergency response plans for beef, exotic, and companion animals, and supports youth education through 4-H. A currently open horticulture position offers another chance to connect community members to agricultural knowledge.

Jeff also touched on pond management, including “shocking” lakes to manage fish populations as ponds “turn over” in early spring.

The session ended with a reminder of how agriculture connects to everyday life, including America’s favorite pastime—baseball. Jane Mitchell highlighted how nearly every element of the game traces back to the farm: concessions grown on local farms, baseballs wrapped in cowhide leather, gloves made from the same material, wooden bats from trees, and sod fields covering the ballparks.

Leadership Fayette’s agriculture-focused session not only celebrated National Agriculture Day but also highlighted the critical role farming continues to play in the identity, economy, and future of Fayette County.