2025 Corn Farmer of the Year – John Mark Peacock, of Peacock Farms

Of all our awards, the Corn Farmer is the only yield-based competition that we have in the county. Annually, the Jackson County Extension Service performs standardized corn yield checks for all those who call in to request them. These yield checks are a minimum of an acre and a quarter and follow the National Corn Yield Contest rules, so that the growers are eligible to submit for that contest if they wish. This year, it was an extremely tight race for the title, coming down to less than a bushel.

For John Mark Peacock, farming isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life that runs six generations deep. He grew up farming alongside his dad, learning the ropes the old-fashioned way on the family farm. In 2008, John Mark decided it was time to branch out on his own. He rented his first piece of land and planted his very first crop, marking the start of his own farming journey.

In 2011, he stopped working for his dad and became fully independent with his own farming operation, although the two still team up for harvest season. His dad now focuses just on peanuts, while John Mark runs a more diversified operation — growing corn, peanuts, cotton, and soybeans. His farm encompasses 10,000 acres across Calhoun, Gulf, and Jackson counties. Running a farm that size takes a good team, he has seven full-time employees, with four part-timers who help during harvest.

This year, John Mark planted 900 acres of corn — 500 irrigated and 400 dryland. The irrigated fields really paid off, averaging around 270 bushels per acre. He prefers Dekalb varieties on his farm. This year he planted DK 6835, 7045, and 6895, but also tried AgriGold variety 6659, which performed very well.

His wife Janna is the lynchpin of the farm; she keeps everything running smoothly. The two have been married since 2016 and have three kids — Ava (13), Brycen (7), and Bowen (4). Janna handles all the paperwork, payroll, and the mill operations.  John Mark shared, “I couldn’t do it without her.”

When you ask John Mark about the challenges of farming, he doesn’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due.“Everything is in the good Lord’s hands,” he says. “Couldn’t do it without Him. Still not sure how we made a crop this year, but He took care of us.” I also had an excellent teacher in my dad. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

John Mark stays active in the community as a member of Farm Bureau, Altha First Baptist Church, and the Coffee County Gin. At the end of the day, he’s proud to be carrying on the family tradition, raising his kids based on the same values he was taught — hard work, faith, and gratitude.

The Corn Farmer of the Year Award is sponsored by Tidewater Case Ag & Construction Equipment.  This award is based on standardized yield checks provided by the Jackson County Extension Service.  If you would like your corn yield tested in 2026, please contact Ethan Carter, Regional Crop IPM Agent,