Kenny Gibbs Knows How to Grow Success
2007 agricultural leader of the year, agriculture, business, dickson county chamber of commerce, kenny gibbs,
Kenny Gibbs received a vote of confidence from the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural committee last year: The group named him its 2007 Agricultural Leader of the Year. And he earned it.
In addition to managing his farming operation and working for the Water Authority of Dickson County, Gibbs finds time to get involved in agriculture-related volunteer organizations.
“I’m on the board of directors of the Livestock Association – that’s an organization that’s done a lot in the community as far as education and such,” Gibbs says. “We help with the youth, and we sponsor a 4-H steer show.”
“Also, I’m a member of the board of the Dickson County Farm Bureau, and they do a lot of good things in the community.” Gibbs is quick to share the credit.
“I don’t think it’s as much me as it is the people I’m associated with that get things done,” he adds. “They’re really a good bunch of folks. When somebody gets a good idea, people pitch in and get something accomplished,” he says.
In the nearly 50 years Gibbs has lived there, he has seen Dickson County change a lot. For one thing, between business and residential growth, the amount of available farmland is shrinking.
“But I plan to keep mine,” he says. “I farm about 70 acres. I’m a small livestock producer – beef cattle. I mostly raise heifers for the UT Ultimate Heifer Sale in November.”
The Ultimate Heifer Sale is a University of Tennessee Extension program recognized as one of the premier sales in Tennessee. Only the highest quality heifers are accepted, and beef producers agree to a rigorous standard of veterinary care and documentation prior to the sale.
“It’s a real good program for the buyer and the seller,” Gibbs says. “It’s a little more work, but I feel better about putting a heifer out there that’s been taken care of and that the buyer knows has been taken care of.”
Story by Carol Cowan
Photo by Brian McCord
