Allen and Janice Eubanks
The Homestead Act gave the Eubanks family 165 acres in 1896, and that acreage -- which has grown to 1,000 today and is still in the family -- is being farmed in ways that were not even dreamed of 100 years ago.
Allen and Janice Eubanks own Eubanks Produce Inc. in Lucedale. They operate a large-scale produce farm in rural George and Greene counties, and name Wal-Mart as one of their biggest customers. The farm is active almost year-round, growing strawberries, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, specialty peppers, cantaloupes, cabbage, watermelons and onions.
Both Allen and Janice are volunteer 4-H leaders with the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H program, and two of their four children are in 4-H. They work closely with their Extension agents and are innovative and willing to experiment with new technology to improve their business.
Among the innovations used at Eubanks Produce are black plastic mulch and drip irrigation. Soil fumigation is used to combat insects and diseases before crops are planted.
“We embrace whatever helps us be successful,” Allen said.
The farm employs as many as 175 migrant workers, but its permanent staff of seven includes a full-time food safety inspector.
See the full 2008 feature story about the Eubanks >>
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