Jacob Larson, Larson Dairy, Inc., Okeechobee County
Jacob Larson: A young dairy producer follows in the footsteps of his farming family
Jacob Larson, 30, is a managing partner at Larson Dairy Inc. in Okeechobee, where he lives with wife Danielle and their children Luke, 5, Lilly, 3, and Levi, 1. The farm has about 2,200 milking cows. The couple, who have been married eight years, met at the University of Florida. Danielle earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Education; he graduated with a bachelor’s in Animal Science and a minor in Food Resources Economics. She previously worked for the USDA; today she home-schools their children and runs their Angus beef herd. Jacob is the treasurer of the Okeechobee County Farm Bureau, past chairman of the state’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee and is active with CARES – County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, a Farm Bureau program that partners with other environmental organizations to recognize farms that are implementing Best Management Practices to help protect the environment. Jacob comes from a long line of Larson dairy farmers, including grandfather Red, father Woody and uncle John. Jacob’s brother, Travis, also is a dairy farmer. Dairy Matters asked Jacob to take a few minutes from his busy schedule to talk about his role in dairy farming.
Dairy Matters: What is it like to be a member to be a member of the well-known and respected Larson family?
Jacob Larson: I have always looked up to my father (Woody) and legendary grandfather (Red), who are heroes not just to me, but to many in our community and in the dairy industry.
DM: What are some of the biggest challenges of being a dairy farmer?
JL: It is a challenge to produce milk in South Florida because of the heat, but that is one of the reasons we do it. We like a challenge. However, now there are many more challenges from the rising environmental regulations to the pressures from misinformed members of the public about the way we treat our animals. There are always going to be challenges.
DM: What is the most satisfying about being a dairy farmer?
JL: It is very rewarding to know how many people we are feeding each day with the milk our cows are producing.
DM: What would you like the non-farming public to understand about the dairy industry?
JL: It will always be important for dairy farmers and all producers of agriculture products to tell their story to the general public when they get the chance. Everyone is a supporter of agriculture each time they eat, even though they may not realize it.
DM: When you are not working, what do you do in your spare time?
JL: I like to hunt and fish, but I really like to work.
