Kent Brown has been chosen as the 2017 Farmer of the Year by the International Rice Festival, according to Suzy Webb, festival president. This year’s festival dates are Oct. 19 to 22.
Brown was born and raised in the small rural community of Hathaway, just north of Jennings, in Jeff Davis Parish. His parents, Harold and Ruth Brown, and his three brothers, Craig, Ricky, and Steven, lived on the Brown family farm.
In the late 1800s, Kent’s ancestors, who were wheat farmers in the state of Iowa, moved during the historical migration of Midwest farmers to the prairies of southwest Louisiana to begin producing rice. There were many challenges to adjusting to their new life, but the homesteaders endured the obstacles because of their love of farming.
Over 100 years later, Kent Brown, a fourth generation farmer, continues to produce rice on the original 450-acre homestead, as well as an additional 200 acres of rented farmland for rice and crawfish production because of his love of farming and family heritage.
Brown grew up learning about farming from his father. Following his high school graduation in 1974, Kent began farming full-time. With his knowledge and experiences in farming and rental of his father’s equipment, Brown leased farmland in the Hathaway area and began producing rice. In the 1980s, after Brown’s dad retired, he purchased his father’s equipment and starting managing all the family farm production. Over the decades, Brown added efficiency to his operation with the purchase of on-farm grain storage and converting to an electric irrigation well.
For the past 43 years, he has worked hard to maintain and sustain the farm. He is especially proud that his son is currently a self-employed farmer and working to build his operation. Brown said, “I am proud that the fith generation will continue production on Brown Farms.”
Brown plants two long grain rice varieties, Excel 729 and Clearfield 153. He also plants Jupiter, a medium grain rice. He attends the annual rice field days at LSU Research Station in Crowley and follows the best management practices recommended by the LSU rice researchers. He also incorporates guidelines by the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Several years ago, het was involved with the Kellogg’s Certified Rice Grower Program, a sustainability effort for the Kellogg Company to purchase medium grain rice for their cereal product.
For the past 34 years, Brown has been involved with the promotion of the agricultural industry and rice production. He has served in a leadership role in many agriculture organizations. He is a board member of Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority (LAFA); president of Jeff Davis Parish Farm Bureau Board of Directors; treasurer of Jeff Davis Parish Rice Growers; member of Louisiana Rice Promotion Board; member of Louisiana Farm Bureau Rice Advisory Committee; member of Louisiana Farm Bureau Crawfish Committee; past president of Jeff Davis Rice Growers; past member of Louisiana Farm Bureau Board of Directors; past secretary of Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Ranchers State Committee; past chairman of Jeff Davis Parish Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.
Brown said, “I believe it is important to be involved in promoting the agricultural industry so people can have a better understanding of importance of agriculture in our nation.”
Brown’s wife is the former Jacquline “Jackie” Doucet of Hathaway, who is a retired teacher. They have been married 35 years and have three children and three grandchildren. Their son, Eric, a fifth generation self-employed farmer, and his wife, Blaire Landry Brown, reside on the family farm in Hathaway. Their daughter, Melissa, formerly employed at the National FFA Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, her husband, Brian Dunkel, and three children, Sam, Kate, and Ben Dunkel, reside in Brownsburg, Indiana. Their youngest daughter, Rachel Brown, is employed at the McCormick Corporation in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
Brown is a member of the Raymond United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee; communion steward and chairman of the Raymond Cemetery. He has served as church lay leader, church treasurer, and as a member of the Trustee Committee.
Brown will be recognized Sept. 23 at the International Rice Festival Honoree Social and Queen’s Ball to be held at the Grand Opera House.