Source: NCDA&CS, 1/5/22

A Lifetime of Agriculture

We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Chief Deputy Commissioner, David Smith, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each Wednesday here on the blog or any of our social media accounts and join us in honoring those who continue to drive our state’s agriculture industry forward each day!

As the longest serving employee in the Department of Agriculture with 49 years of service, it seems appropriate to begin this series with Chief Deputy Commissioner David Smith. His commitment and service to the agriculture industry runs deep.

David grew up on a family farm and has always been immersed in the industry. “My grandparents were farmers in the Lucama community during the 1900’s,” he said, “and then my parents raised me on our family farm in Benson.”

Smith’s Nursery and Produce Farm, formerly known as the John Carroll Place, was not only the homeplace of David and his three brothers, but also the place where he fell in love with agriculture and all that it provides for the community. Prior to 1990, the Smith family farmed tobacco, corn, soybeans and raised a few hogs. “Farming tobacco is hard work. Sometimes during harvest my family and I would be in the barn from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m.,” David said. “However, it was that quality of life and emphasis on hard work that shaped me into the man I am today and led me to a lifelong career in agriculture.”

In 1994, Smith’s Nursery transitioned to growing strawberries and nursery plants. It continues to be staple in the community today.

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