For Harrison Jenkins, farming has always been a family tradition. His family has farmed in North Carolina since 1900, starting with a dairy operation that supported them for generations. Today, Jenkins has worked to adapt the legacy of Westward Farms to the challenges of modern agriculture using the skills he learned through completing the Executive Farm Management (EFM) Program in 2021.
In 2009, Westward Farms, located in Stony Point, NC, began diversifying into poultry as dairy became less viable. Now, Jenkins is striving to build a sustainable future for the farm. After graduating from NC State and working as a high school agriculture teacher, Jenkins returned to farming full-time when his daughter was born.
“It came to the point where something had to give—trying to farm and teach at the same time,” he said. “So I took that leap.”
Farming today is not simple, and Jenkins realized he needed more than just traditional knowledge to secure the farm’s future. His county, one of the fastest-growing in the state, is facing rapid urbanization, making land more expensive and harder to acquire. At the same time, economic pressures are making it difficult for small farmers to thrive.
The Executive Farm Management Program offers farmers like Jenkins tools and strategies to approach their operations with a business mindset. For Jenkins, who majored in agricultural education and had little formal training in business or finance, the program provided a fresh perspective on managing farm finances and planning for long-term success.
“I think learning is a continual thing,” Jenkins said. “EFM does a good job of continuing to offer opportunities to learn as you go. It’s not just a one-and-done program.”
He highlighted the importance of financial planning, citing the “FLOID” acronym—Family, Living, Operating Expenses, Interest and Debt—as a simple but powerful framework for managing farm finances. However, what Jenkins found particularly valuable was the program’s emphasis on networking. Through EFM, he connected with other farmers, business leaders and experts who could provide advice and guidance.
“It’s connected me with a lot of cool people,” he said. “Surround yourself with people you want to be like. Having casual conversations is where I gained the most to help me progress in my knowledge of agriculture, agriculture practices and what’s going on in the world.”
Jenkins is now focused on the future, not just for himself but for his two young children. “I’m constantly thinking about how to make our business work for them if they want to come back to it one day,” he said. “How can I stay with the times so that it’s applicable for them in the future?”
Applications for the 2025 Executive Farm Management Program are now open! Visit go.ncsu.edu/efm or contact EFM Director Michael Best to learn more.
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