Stone County’s JB Brown can’t help but smile. This is what is loves to do, and on this day, the green grass and blue skies make it that much more enjoyable. His ancestors have farmed this land for generations and Brown has carried on the family business.

“We floated timber down on the river the first time the water got up to get it down to the mill,” he said. “And when logging really came and railroads came in, they really got into logging more. Always had cattle and sheep in the woods, we had open range, complements of the Spanish influence, and that’s just been part of growing up.”

Through down markets and even hurricanes blowing through his timber, farming and family have always been the constant in Brown’s life.

“This has always been home, and that’s what hurt so hard about the early 80s when people were going down, losing their places,” Brown said. “They weren’t just losing a business. They were losing their legacy and the memories, the tradition, everything that went with it.”

That “never give up” attitude was instilled in Brown at a young age, but also a great work ethic. Much of his family served in the armed forces during World War two, and when they returned home, they farmed.

“When I grew up, there were 11 in my dad’s family, 9 in mother’s,” he said. “Almost every one of them served in World War II.  Had a great respect for the military listening to their tales.  But also every one of them farmed.  There was something in farming.  Either cattle, timber, there was always, some were in the chicken business, some were in the dairy.  And you worked.”

Add it all up, and Brown couldn’t help but be a leader. Still, his style is not lead from in front, but lead by example.

“You could pull a chain all over this property, you couldn’t push it very far, and if you had anyone working for you, you worked with them,” Brown said. “You didn’t ask them to do anything that you wouldn’t do it yourself.”

Today, Brown serves on the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s State Board of Directors and the Farm Fund Political Action Committee along with president of his county Farm Bureau. But, receiving this honor, Brown says he was surprised and humbled.

“All the above,” he said while getting tears in his eyes. It came as a shock. Never did any of this to get an award. But then when I sat down and got to thinking about it, this is a grassroots solidary people. Couldn’t represent people that I’m more proud of. And then to receive this honor, it was humbling.”