2025 Cotton Farmers of the Year – Dustin Land and Mark Hasty, of D&M Farms
Dustin and Mark represent the third and fourth generations of their families in agriculture. Both grew up farming in Jackson County and shared a passion for agriculture long before officially joining forces. Mark returned to full-time farming in 2009, after working in corrections and Dustin grew his first crop in 2010. The two helped each other for years before formally merging operations in 2017 to create D&M Farms.
Dustin and Mark believe in mentoring young farmers, that someone must help new generations get started, just as others once helped them. They extend their sincere thanks to Mike Williams, Lynnie Ray Hasty, and Shedrick McGriff for all that they have done for them. Industry supporters include Patrick Kelly, of Kelly Ag, and Cole Miller, of Loveit Crop Consulting.
Today, D&M Farms encompasses 5,100 acres with about 60% of the farm being irrigated. This year they planted 1,580 cotton acres, but the crop was largely dryland, with only 534 irrigated acres. Although individual fields can sometimes yield up to 1,600 pounds of lint, their overall farm average is a bale and a half per acre, reaching a bale and three-quarters under better field conditions. They planted two varieties this year, NexGen 5430 and as well as PHY 415 for the first time. Following defoliation in late October, harvest began in early November. The NexGen line remains their brand of choice. In 2019, they produced their best cotton ever, 2,160 pounds of lint per acre, with NexGen 5711. D&M Farms is also one of thel local farms who has hosted cotton trials with the University of Florida over the past several years. Specifically, they have provided three field locations over the past two years for a deer herbivory study evaluating feeding injury to the crop.
Mark and his wife Amanda have been married since 1997 and have four children — Jacob, Krista, Savannah, and Sarah — and two grandchildren, Maddie and Easton. Amanda departed a supervisor position at the Marianna Post Office in 2019 to focus more on managing the farm.
Dustin and his wife Dolly have been married since 2014 and have four children — Gade, Hunter, Jillian, and Lillian. Dolly owns Southern Roots Bar & Grill in Malone, and Gade works at Jackson Correctional Institution while the younger kids are all still in school.
They are joined here tonight by their families to celebrate this recognition.
The Cotton Farmers of the Year is sponsored by the Southern Cotton Organization, Clover Leaf Gin, and the Sowega Cotton Gin. The honoree is selected each year by the Jackson County Extension Staff with the assistance of local Farm Service Companies.