James, William, and Ross Terry, I.C. Terry Farms, Columbia
The Terry family own and operate I.C. Terry Farms, Inc. in Lake City Florida. The farm has been in the family for over 120 years and was started by James and William Terry in the late 1880’s. They proudly produce cattle, hay, peanuts and small grain. The Terry family has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm for decades. BMPs are a set of guidelines that advise producers on how to manage the water, nutrient, and pesticides they are using to reduce agriculture’s impact on the state’s natural resources. I.C. Terry Farms, Inc. uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for guidance in fertilizer application. The Terry family uses yearly soil samples from the field to determine the proper amount of fertilizer and irrigation to apply. They have also updated their sprinkler system to a low volume pivot irrigation system to minimize water use. Controlled burns and a freshwater source for the cattle are some of many other BMPs the Terry family implements throughout the farm.
The Terry family is actively involved in their local community. James Terry is part of the Gideon’s, American Legion, on the board for the Columbia County Farm Bureau and chairman of the board for his church where he also teaches Sunday school. William Terry has served as the chief of the volunteer fire department and Ross Terry has served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board. When asked why they are farmers who CARE, they responded, “so future generations will have a good environment.”
