Many 18-year-olds are at least a couple of generations removed from the farm; meanwhile, Mac Jepson is the eighth generation to work at 200-year-old Jepson Farms and is already working hard to shape the farm’s future.
The family farms wheat, corn, soybeans, watermelons, tobacco and pumpkins in Simpson County, Kentucky and Robertson County, Tennessee. The family takes pride in the many generations that have paved the way for the future.
“We honor our past and the ones that went in front of us by continuing on, caring for the land and growing a business for the next generation,” said Willis Jepson, Mac’s father and seventh-generation farmer.
To continue and grow, Jepson Farms keeps up with new technology available in agriculture, such as GPS auto steer, variable rate application and data capturing programs.
“We have the capability of planting and harvesting more acres in a day than they would plant and harvest in a season,” Willis said.
In 2023, Mac, his brother Jack and Willis decided to add another technological advancement. They started J3 Ag Services, which is centered around agricultural drones and precision agriculture. They purchased two DJI T40 drones and began putting them to use.
In the past, farmers relied on crop dusters to spray their corn once it reached a certain height. Jepson Farms has begun to spray corn fungicide with their drones to combat the cost of crop dusters.
“We got the drones for our own crops and working on our own farm, but it transitioned into also spraying for surrounding farmers,” Mac said.
They also use the drones to spread cover crop. While Willis works in one section of the farm, Mac and Jack utilize the drones to complete other tasks, increasing efficiency.
“Going into it, it was something that we were learning together. It wasn’t something I would look at Dad and say, ‘How do I do this?’ It was something that we were teaching each other how to do,” Mac said.
Mac is not just a leader on the farm, but also in the classroom. He serves as the East Robertson Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter President. His FFA advisor, Travis Hinton, said he has gotten to see Mac’s ambition and leadership first-hand in the classroom.
“Whether he is organizing events, speaking in front of a group, or helping younger members, he always brings an enthusiasm that lifts everyone up,” Hinton said in an email statement.
After his senior year, Mac plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to pursue a four-year degree. His goal is to return to the farm, step into a full-time position and build upon the drone business.
Jepson Farms has a bright future as the eighth generation works towards continuing the legacy.
“So many people are getting so far removed from the farm; it is something we hold onto,” Mac said.
