Welcome to Field Good Life!
Jennifer James is a fourth-generation rice, soybean, corn, and wheat farmer from Newport, Arkansas, where her family has been working the land for over a century. She serves as CEO/ CFO of H&J Land Co. and Auvergne Grain Co., overseeing a diversified operation that includes value-added row crops, a grain warehouse, a soybean cleaning plant, and an automated container loading facility. She also manages Delta Soy, a specialty soybean brand that contracts with farmers to grow for the Japanese natto market.
Jennifer is a proud advocate for agriculture, especially rice farmers, and she’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen. She writes a blog and hosts the "Field Good Life" podcast, aiming to connect real farm stories with consumers and policymakers. She’s testified before the U.S. Senate and House Ag Committees, always carrying the message of family farming and the future of American agriculture.
She has a career of industry board service, but a few highlights include being the first woman elected to the Riceland Foods Board of Directors, Director at Merchants and Planters Bank, and Vice Chair of the Arkansas Rice Farmers Board. She’s also a member of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Agribusiness Council and the EPA’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.
In 2017, Jennifer was named Field to Market’s Farmer of the Year for conservation leadership, and in 2019, she was recognized as USA Rice Farmer of the Year. Her family’s operation takes pride in being an Arkansas Century Farm and continues to adopt practices that conserve natural resources and provide overwinter habitat for waterfowl.
A University of Arkansas grad, she holds a degree in Agricultural Business and was honored as the 2024 Outstanding Alumna of Bumpers College, where she gave the keynote address at commencement. Jennifer is also a graduate of The Executive Program for Ag Producers (TEPAP) and the USA Rice Leadership Program.
She and her husband, Greg, farm together and are proud to have their son, Dylan, working alongside them as the fifth generation. When she’s not advocating, managing, or farming, you might find her walking the turn rows, traveling with Greg, or trying to sneak in a hunt or fishing trip.
FIELD GOOD LIFE PODCAST
FIELD GOOD LIFE PODCAST
Be sure to check out my new Field Good Life podcast on either Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Recent Posts
Check out what we’ve been doing recently on and off of the farm!
September is National Rice Month!
Here in Arkansas rice is a very important crop contributing over $6 billion annually to my state’s economy.
My Interview on The Ground Work Podcast
Recently I had the opportunity to be a guest on Farm Policy Facts podcast #Groundwork that is hosted by Tom Sell.
Winter On A Rice Farm
What a whirlwind two weeks! Seems like my head is spinning and I’m still behind on my list of tasks to complete. Here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been up to!
My Winter Days – Part 2
It has been a whirlwind of a week in the farm office and we accomplished so much. January on the farm equals a very busy time. Now you might think that is an inaccurate statement because we have no crops growing in the field.
My Winter Days – Part 1
It’s winter and there aren’t any crops in the field. What does a row crop farmer do all winter? Go hunting? Stay home with family? Travel to warmer destinations? Well all those sound great –but unfortunately there is a huge amount of work to do in the winter months to prepare for spring!
Spotlight: Marji Guyler-Alaniz of FarmHer
That day when you watch yourself on national television! WOW!
Labor Day Lessons
As I sit at my desk waiting on the combines to begin to roll for the day I Googled Labor Day and its meaning.
Rough Rice – From Seed To Harvest
We planted the seeds in the spring and cared for them all summer. The past few weeks I have prepared the office and the grain bin complex for incoming grain.
My Tribe in Ag
Farmers are very independent. Good thing I chose this profession because I am an extremely independent person.
Corn Growing & Soil Moisture Sensors
It is a gorgeous Sunday morning here in Arkansas! We have had a very hot and humid week and a storm blew through last night with cooler temperatures and a nice north wind blowing.
Why Do You Have Levees In A Rice Field?
We finished up planting all of our rice just as it has stopped raining in our area. There have been few scattered showers but nothing to speak of on our farm.
Rice Planting Complete & Spotlight: My Friend Lindley
Planting is still in full force with our tractors scattered all over the farm. Our heavy clay good rice soils dried out and we finished planting our rice today!
Fresh Soil, Fresh Start
Today is a gorgeous day here in northeast Arkansas. Everywhere I travel around the farm we have tractors rolling and so do all of our neighbors. It is an exhilarating sight!
How I Cook Rice & Answers To Your Questions
When it comes to cooking rice the first thing you must ask yourself is what kind do you want? There are so many different types of rice.
Persistence and Determination
Do you have a favorite quote? I have many and I hear new ones all the time that motivate and inspire me.
Welcome to Field Good Life
Welcome to Field Good Life!
