In honor of National Agriculture Day, we are proud to highlight Dr. John Hall, a University of Florida alumnus who earned his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Education in 2001 and his Master’s in Agribusiness in 2002. He is the owner of Promised Land Family Ministries.
Could you share how your career has evolved since completing your bachelor’s at UF?
My bachelor’s at UF provided countless opportunities for me in the agriculture industry. My degree opened up doors for further my education (MAB from UF and PhD from Texas A&M). With the advanced degrees came additional career opportunities and various segments of the agriculture industry—middle school, high school and college agriculture teacher/professor, agriculture lender, learning and leadership development, and now most recently business owner and founder/president of a nonprofit.
Could you walk me through what a typical day or week looks like for you as a business owner in the agriculture industry?
Every day is different, so being able to adapt and efficiently manage the most important items of business is crucial to success. As a nonprofit our business structure is different than a typical farm. On a daily basis I am handling typical farm activities (caring for crops and bees) which includes a wide variety of tasks such as irrigating and fertilizing crops, planting and harvesting crops, checking for pests (insects, weeds, etc.) We are also in the process of building additional structures around the farm; I oversee all of these projects and design/build several. In addition to all the farm and building activities I spend time each day keeping accurate records/preparing reports and communicating with numerous individuals and organizations that we partner with.
Every day brings its own unique opportunities and challenges. There are certainly broad categories of things that require a business owner’s attention, from day-to-day operations to long term visioning and strategic thinking to managing budgets, developing people, promoting the organization, etc.
Looking back on your experience so far, what are the biggest lessons you’ve taken away from running your own operation?
Running our organization has highlighted the importance of learning from past experiences and always learning to make informed decisions. It is also important to surround yourself with people who bring additional skills and experience to the organization. Having the right people in your organization is essential to plan for the future and successfully fulfill the mission of the organization. Looking back also reminds me of the rapidly changing, complex environment that business owners and leaders operate in today. Being able to navigate changes in society, economy, community, politics, etc. and make the right decisions has become more important than ever.
What sorts of things were you involved in, or what kind of experiences did you have during your time at UF?
While at UF, I was fortunate to be involved in several professional student organizations. The Agriculture Education and Communication Society , Block & Bridle, the CALS Council, CALS Alumni & Friends (student representative), CALS Ambassador. I also helped create Global Gators (study abroad) programs, was a member of a national honor’s society, and played intramural sports. I was also an active member of Victory Church and started the Victory UF student organization, and led Bible studies.
Are there any emerging trends, technologies, or developments in your industry that you find particularly exciting or challenging?
Several very important issues in the agriculture industry that people should be aware of include: labor challenges (availability and cost of labor) for production agriculture, water availability/usage, environmental issues, increased input cost (fertilizer, seed, feed, fuel, etc.). Complex trade policies/markets, increased regulation, decreasing amount of farm land, the increased cost of farm land, the majority of the population’s lack of experience and understanding of agriculture, perceptions.
A few opportunities include: involving various advancements in agriculture with research improving production techniques, technological advancements and use of technology has created a lot of jobs that can make agriculture more efficient, exciting opportunities between agriculture and environment/conservation groups working together to preserve land. Agriculture leaders working with health leaders to collaborate and provide greater access for people to eat healthier and improve their lifestyles.
What professional development opportunities or certifications have you pursued to enhance your skills and knowledge in your field?
Every college degree really helped prepare me to be a life-long learner. Being involved in professional organizations and attending conferences and workshops regularly has also provided valuable professional development. I have also gained certifications through Gallop (CliftonStrengths), Cornell E-certificate in Change Leadership, and various community leadership programs in the nonprofit space. My overall philosophy to be a lifelong learner is to take advantage of all the resources you can: reading industry/professional articles and resources (like IFAS/EDIS documents), attending professional meetings and conferences, network with professionals in the industry to glean knowledge from them.
This year, the National Agriculture Day theme is “Together We Grow.” What does that mean to you?
Collaboration is vital for the success of the agriculture industry. We must work with professionals in the agriculture industry as well as related industries, environment/conservation, professional organizations, political leaders, legislative. The challenges that we face in the industry are much too complex and multifaceted for any individual or singular group or organization to adequately address on their own. When people/organizations come together, focused on a common purpose meaningful and sustainable growth will happen!
