Rodney Brooks is among the first to serve in a role that gives beginning farmers the resources they need to grow in their careers and strengthen their communities.
The Fort Valley State University alumnus is the beginning farmer regional coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Leesburg, Georgia. Only he and two other coordinators currently serve in this role at the FSA throughout the country.
The FSA supports farming communities in all 50 states. Some services offered include price support, risk management, disaster assistance, conservation-related programs and loans.
“Many times dealing with the government can be overwhelming. My role is unique because I have a lot of latitude to engage and collaborate with different stakeholders and get the word out about the programs we have to benefit beginning farmers,” Brooks said.
A native of Brooks County, Georgia, his effort and time spent on farms in his hometown at a young age taught him work ethic, as well as the value of education and agriculture. At age 14, he began working on local farms throughout his high school years, harvesting watermelons, peas and tobacco during the summer. Recalling the early mornings in the tobacco field, Brooks said he learned the significance of making progress as he worked his way from the beginning of the row to the end.
His strong work ethic continued as he made his way to FVSU’s campus. Upon attending the summer orientation, the young freshman planned to major in business until he learned about the benefits of majoring in agricultural economics from retired agricultural professor Dr. Mack Nelson.
“I changed my major right there,” Brooks said. “Every segment of general business can be correlated to agriculture.”
This change further led to Brooks receiving an internship with his current employer through Levi Glover, former USDA 1890 liaison. “It was the gateway of getting into the USDA,” declared Brooks, who earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from FVSU in 2001.
In addition to the FSA internship, Brooks said the academic coursework at FVSU provided a good foundation for understanding the business side of agriculture. This amplified his academic background, allowing him to continue his education at the University of Georgia (UGA), where he interned at the FSA’s state office. He earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics from UGA in 2003.
The following year, he became a farm loan officer for the FSA’s Dawson office. Then, in 2015, the beginning farmer regional coordinator position became available. Brooks hesitated with the decision to apply, but after receiving encouragement from his coworkers, he trusted in his abilities to perform the job. He has been serving in his new position since February 2016.
Brooks, who is seldom in his office, appreciates the flexibility of his job. This allows him to spend time on the road speaking at workshops and conferences, including making on-farm visits. Disseminating knowledge to farmers and groups that represent farmers is important to him.
Rhonda Gordon, executive director of the Golden Triangle Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council in Blakely, Georgia, has worked with Brooks over the last six years.
“Rodney has an innovative approach to working with beginning farmers and is an excellent mentor,” she said. “He is extremely knowledgeable in his field and has forged numerous partnerships with other federal, state and local governmental entities, as well as many non-governmental organizations.”
Gordon said Rodney is a member of the original steering committee for the Georgia Landowner Academy, which is an educational program empowering Georgia landowners to steward their land more effectively.
Brooks enjoys working for the government and looks forward to serving on a larger platform. He also desires to serve as a consultant for farmers or lead an agricultural organization.
In addition to assisting beginning farmers, the agricultural economics alumnus gives back to his hometown. He and his friends Dr. DeQuan Bivins, Eric Hixson, Dr. Henry T. Marable and Dr. Ulysses Marable III, who are also graduates of Brooks County High School and FVSU, offer a scholar award to a graduating senior at their former high school. They started this scholarship in 2006 with $500. After three years, they increased the award amount to $1,000.
“We understand for college students there are many expenses other than tuition,” Brooks said. Recipients can use the money toward any expense as long as they are in college.
Brooks’ advice to students is to enjoy their youth. “Do not rush adulthood, but prepare yourself,” he said. “Something that I always tell kids, even my own kids, is there are two things in life that do not cost you anything and can take you a long way – good manners and respect.”
Brooks and his wife, Shala, have an adult daughter, Druscilla, and a son, Rodney Jr., who will attend FVSU in fall 2020.