“Started as a cowboy and ended up as a plow boy.” That’s how Jim Jeffries describes himself.
In Genesis 2:15 we read, The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to work the soil and take care of the garden. God had a plan from the very beginning for us to tend the soil, and Mr. Jim has cultivated the land, his sweet family, and numerous agricultural students in Hillsborough county.
Mr. Jeffries grew up in church, so he never really knew anything different. Knowing the Lord is all he has ever known. He did make a decision to be a Christ-follower when he was twelve years old and has always led a godly life.
Look at what others had to say about Mr. Jim Jeffries:
Mr. Jim is a man of incredible stature!!! Strong faith, dedicated to family, dedicated to youth in agriculture, and one of the best men I know on planet earth!! -Kenneth Parker
After knowing him for over 50 years and having both his daughters in my class, he is a man of faith and a real Christian. His family have had and still do have some serious health issues, plus he has had some health issues. But he is a prayer warrior and has always kept his faith in God. Also he has been a leader in the livestock area at the festival, always looking out for our young exhibitors. I am blessed to have had him in my life and career in Agriculture. He has touched the lives of many young people and adults like me and you. We all love him and his soft spoken manner.-Ray Clark
My father is a man of integrity. He sacrificed not only to provide for our family, but also to help his parents and siblings in Lakeland on their commercial orange grove, and for the ag students under his care. He was always a great listener and slow to speak. You knew if he said something, it was well thought out first. He has wisdom because he follows the Lord and thinks about what will honor God first and foremost. He truly loves people. He has embodied his marriage vows for over 50 years and has been my mother’s caregiver for a long time. I could not have asked for a better man to be an example to me and my sister. He is truly one of a kind. – Dawn Kicklighter
I would say the most selfless, humble, thoughtful, caring individual. Everything he did was for others and never about himself. The best father-in-law a guy can ask for. – Alan Kicklighter
When you see the interview, you can tell that Mr. Jeffries is a selfless and humble man. He didn’t really dive into himself so much as he did the agricultural side of the festival. You will sense that he loves the festival and promotes the exhibitors. He encourages you to be a sponsor, a buyer, and a safe observer.
- Scholarships go to seniors who show steer and swine. 3×5’ signs, about 30 $1,000 and $500 scholarships. You can be a sponsor for $500, contact the festival.
- Come support the kids who sell their swine (Friday, 3/3rd), plants (Sunday, 3/5th), and steers (Saturday the 9th).
- The festival used to have a petting zoo, but due to safety reasons our agricultural area is not a petting zoo.
Fun fact: it appears that the first steer sell began because of compassion…the compassion a few individuals had on some students whose animal wasn’t able to participate in the state fair.
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. Proverbs 12:11
Mr. Jim Jeffries has plenty of sense and an abundant life.
Blessings to you and yours, and I look forward to seeing you at the festival!
Stephanie
