Last November, there was a lot of buzz about Jimmy Emmons being considered by the Trump Transition team for a top position at the US Department of Agriculture. That died down as the President selected confidant Brooke Rollins to be his Secretary of Ag. But, Emmons stayed in the conversation as the staff at the Natural Resource Conservation Service was assembled.
This week- that became a reality as Jimmy Emmons was sworn in as the Assistant Chief of the NRCS- the number two person in the NRCS at the USDA.
His friend and Congressman, Frank Lucas, was on hand for the swearing in at the USDA in Washington. Lucas writes of Emmons “As a lifelong Oklahoman, Jimmy has spent years working around the state and across the country promoting innovative and voluntary conservation practices. Having someone like this in a position to lead farm policy isn’t just beneficial for Oklahoma, but the entire country and the world.
“I am proud of my longtime friend and fellow Oklahoman for his willingness to serve the nation and his commitment to the American farmer.”
Jimmy Emmons is the third generation on the family farm in Dewey County. He and his wife Ginger have been farming and ranching together since 1980. They have a diverse 2000 acre cropping operation growing wheat, soybeans, sesame, sunflowers, irrigated dairy alfalfa hay, canola, grain sorghum and several cover crops for seed.
Jimmy and Ginger also have a 250 cow/calf herd and take in yearling cattle for custom grazing on the nearly 6000 acres of native range. Ginger is the primary cattle manager in the operation. The Emmons’ utilize their range and forage resources grown on the crops ground to keep the native grasses and soils healthy to maximize biological diversity and animal health.
His trademark phase that is Jimmy Emmons is well known for is “Long Live the Soil.” That passion for soil health will be carried across the country by Emmons in the days ahead in this new role for the NRCS.
