Arnold Family Farms Recognized as Jackson County’s 2026 Outstanding Farm Family
Contributed by: Doug Mayo
On Monday, March 9th, Jackson County Farm Bureau held their annual banquet at Rivertown Community Church. Over 300 members came out to celebrate the success of the organization over the past year. The highlight of the event was recognition of the Outstanding Farm Family. The Arnold Family, Sneads, Florida, was recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Farm Family. Doug Mayo, Director of UF/IFAS Extension in Jackson County, made the presentation to recognize the contributions of the Arnold Family to agriculture in the county. The following is their story.
For generations, the Arnold family has been deeply rooted in Florida agriculture. Their story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and a lasting commitment to the land. Through changing markets, natural disasters, and the evolving challenges of modern farming, the Arnold family has continued to adapt while preserving a tradition that began nearly a century ago. For this recognition, we will focus on the last four generations.
Rufus and Lucille Arnold were open-range cattle ranchers on the Kissimmee Prairie in South Florida prior to 1941. During that time, ranchers moved their cattle across the open-range prairies in search of the best grazing land, often staying away from home for weeks at a time. Lucille played an important role in this operation, driving the chuck wagon that fed Rufus and his cowhands while also raising their five children – Iris, Faye, Jake, Nathan, and Kaye. All five children were actively engaged in the family operation and learned early on the dedication and responsibility that came with a family farming lifestyle.
In 1941, Rufus heard about land for sale in the Butler Community near Sneads. After traveling north to see the property, he purchased the 2,160-acre Butler Plantation for six dollars an acre and moved his family to Jackson County. Despite its name, the Butler Plantation was largely undeveloped land covered in huge long-leaf pines, open native range, and swamps. Only about 100 acres had been cleared for crops which were primarily used to grow feed for the work animals.
Rufus shipped his herd of 460 cattle by train to Sneads. After unloading at the station, the herd was driven right through town and then eight miles to the new property. This was quite an unusual sight for local residents at the time. The plantaation provided excellent grazing for cattle as well as valuable native long leaf-pine timber that helped support the growing operation. Over time the Arnolds improved the property by building cow pens and installing a dipping vat to control ticks and other pests. In 1947, the family even operated a small dairy of about 35 to 40 cows that supplied fresh milk locally.
In the late 1940s, construction began on the Jim Woodruff Dam where the Chattahoochee, Flint, and Apalachicola Rivers meet. Because much of Butler Plantation fell within the estimated flood-plain area, the government purchased most of the Arnold family land. Of the original 2,160 acres owned by the family, only 160 acres remained. Using the proceeds from the land sale, Rufus purchased a 120-acre farm in the Tornado Hill area where the family still farms today. Over time the farm expanded to about 350 acres along River Road near what later became Lake Seminole. With less land available for a large cattle herd, the Arnold family adapted by shifting to row crops and livestock. Peanuts became the primary cash crop, but corn was also grown to supply feed for the family’s hog operation, and the peanut vines were used to feed cattle.
Jake and Nathan Arnold grew up working alongside their parents and began helping on the farm at an early age. Jake recalls learning to drive a tractor when he was just six years old. Those early experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic and deep respect for the land. After high school, Jake enlisted in the United States Air Force. When his service was complete in 1965, he returned home to Jackson County and committed to continuing the family farming tradition. Farming was more than an occupation for Jake, it was his way of life. In 1972, tragedy struck when Rufus was killed in an automobile accident. Lucille continued managing the cattle operation while her sons Jake and Nathan handled crop production.
Nathan Arnold married and moved to family land closer to Sneads where he farmed cattle, row crops, and watermelons. His son Luke grew up on the farm and eventually took over the operation. Nathan passed away in 2016, and Luke continues farming that land today.
Jake remained on the River Road farm with his wife Mary Lou, where they raised four children – Timmy, Ricky, Tonya, and Drayton. All four children were raised on the farm and grew up helping with the daily chores to support the family run operation. From an early age they learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and respect for the land. Over the years Jake managed row crops, watermelons, and a small cattle herd while raising his family on the River Road farm. He was known for his dedication to working long hours to keep the farm going. His leadership helped guide the farm through changing agricultural markets and ensured that the next generation would have the opportunity to continue the family legacy.
Drayton Arnold, named after his great-grandfather, was born in 1974 and grew up working alongside his father. Like generations before him, he learned to drive a tractor at the age of six and developed a love for farming and the lifestyle of tending and growing on the family farm. After graduating from Sneads High School in 1992, Drayton worked off the farm for several years before deciding that farming was where he truly belonged. In 1997 he returned to the farm full-time and committed himself to continuing the Arnold farming tradition. In 2000, Drayton and his cousin Luke began leasing 200 acres farming on their own for the first time. They grow cotton because they did not have peanut quota acreage at that time.
In 2003, Drayton married Lynn and raised two daughters, Erica and Taylor. As the family grew, the farm also became a special place for the next generation. Today, Drayton, Lynn and Jake farm approximately 1,300 acres leased from family members and local landowners. For many years the farm produced watermelons, but after 45 years of growing melons the operation ended in 2022 due to labor shortages.
Like many Jackson County farmers, Drayton has adapted to the challenges of row crop agriculture. He now focuses primarily on peanut production and has implemented modern farming practices including grid soil sampling, variable-rate fertilizer applications, and strip-till planting to improve efficiency and soil health. The farm still maintains a small cattle herd of about 70 head. Rather than focusing solely on maximum yields, the goal today is efficient production while carefully managing input costs.
Jake and Mary Lou were blessed with nine grandchildren who spent many days visiting their grandparents and enjoying life on the farm. Two of those grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor, lived nearby and were especially involved in the daily activities of the farm. Tyler showed a strong interest in continuing the family farming tradition and was well on his way to becoming the fourth generation of Arnolds to farm the land. Tragically, Tyler lost his life in an accident ten years ago at the age of nineteen. His memory remains an important part of the family and the legacy of the farm.
For more than eighty years, the Arnold family has adapted to tremendous changes in agriculture-from open-range cattle ranching to modern row-crop farming. Each generation has faced new challenges but have adapted and overcome and remained committed to the land and the values that farming represents. Today, Drayton continues the Arnold family farming legacy, ensuring that Arnold Family Farms remain an important part of the agricultural community in Jackson County for generations to come, while honoring the memory of those who helped shape their story.
Congratulations to the entire Arnold family that farm under the name of Arnold Family Farms, who were recognized by Jackson County Farm Bureau as the 2026 Outstanding Farm Family.