By Clint Thompson
There are multiple ingredients in John L. Hundley’s recipe for agricultural success: hard work, a capable supporting staff and willingness to adapt to the changing times. This is what has sustained Hundley Farms for more than 50 years and why Hundley will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame on Feb. 15.
“The bottom line is old-fashioned hard work, paying attention, taking care of things and doing what needs to be done on your crops when it needs to be done,” says Hundley, who farms in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), Central Florida and Bainbridge, Georgia.
Diversification and Delegation
Hundley currently grows sugarcane, sweet corn, green beans, radishes and cabbage. He understands the value of diversifying a farming operation. That is why he also grows field corn for silage and has a ranch with 170 head of cattle in Central Florida.
Hundley says he is only as successful as the people around him. He is surrounded by family and long-time employees who have seen Hundley Farms sustain itself through various economic challenges, including the current supply chain crisis that is plaguing all farmers.
He also does not attempt to accomplish tasks by himself. With a farming operation that includes more than 20,000 acres, there is no feasible way for Hundley to do it all. That’s why he delegates authority and leads by example.
“You’ve got to be doing things in a sound manner through planning. You’ve got to have a forward vision of what you want to accomplish,” says Hundley’s son, John S. Hundley, who has worked for 31 years alongside his father. “He has always looked at the big picture. Success is measured by consistency. But the only way I think to be consistent is to have a tremendous team around you; people that you can bounce ideas off of.”
Ability to Adapt
One member of the team Hundley depends on is Eric Hopkins, his son-in-law. Hopkins says one of Hundley’s most impactful attributes is his willingness to adapt; a trait not often seen in veteran farmers.
“A lot of the older farmers get stuck in their ways, but he has always been open-minded, ever since I’ve known him. He is willing to try new things, willing to do things a little different, willing to grow different crops,” says Hopkins, who has worked for 27 years alongside Hundley. “He’s definitely not stuck in his ways. He’s progressive for a 77-year-old guy. He has seen a lot, and we always value his opinion and input.”
Hundley uses best management practices and previously served on the board of directors for the South Florida Water Management District, which controls water in the Everglades. He says his farm has successfully reduced phosphorous in the discharge water over the years.
“We’ve reduced it far more than the required reduction — two times or more. The results have been phenomenal. That program has been extremely successful,” Hundley says.
Building the Business
Hundley was never a stranger to agriculture. He grew up on his father’s farm, graduated from the University of Florida in 1965 and worked for his father for three seasons before founding Hundley Farms in 1969. The farming operation in the EAA started with 400 acres of leased land, producing sweet corn and radishes. Now, it’s approximately 20,000 acres with a plethora of vegetable and specialty crops. That expansion didn’t happen overnight and not without the expertise and experience of a dependable labor force.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of long-tenured employees. We try to treat them the same as we treat our families,” Hundley says. “We’ve been very fortunate to have very good crop managers. We haven’t had a lot of turnover. We’ve been able to have a very stable labor force, thank heaven.”
Tackling Today’s Challenges
The challenges today are probably as tough as Hundley has ever experienced since he started the farm more than 50 years ago. There are the usual production obstacles like diseases and pest management. But COVID-19 wreaked havoc in agricultural systems in 2020. It has also led to runaway inflation with expenses soaring to near record levels.
Fertilizer costs have gone through the roof. Packaging expenses, seed costs and diesel prices are all tough challenges that growers like Hundley are attempting to navigate.
“It’s quite a challenge. All we can do is the best we can, be as efficient as we can, given the cost of everything and try not to overproduce and try to sell whatever we grow at a reasonable price,” Hundley says.
Government and environmental regulations, which are much more stringent than they were when Hundley first began farming, are also posing challenges.
“It’s really tough and takes a lot of the fun out of it, I can tell you that,” Hopkins says. “You’re faced with so many challenges that have nothing to do with farming. It’s hard enough being successful, growing a crop, being able to market the crop and coming out with a few nickels on the other end. But when you start having all the environmental issues, political issues and the way this country is being handled right now, the supply chain stuff, it’s a nightmare.”
Accomplishments and Accolades
“I am honored to recognize Mr. Hundley and his work over more than five decades on his family farm, utilizing best management practices and conservation techniques to build a sustainable future for their farm and the community that his children, grandchildren and others can enjoy for years to come,” says Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on his inclusion into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Hundley’s resume includes an extensive list of accolades. He was named a Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Florida Farmer of the Year in 2010. In addition, Hundley Farms was recognized as the Palm Beach County Farm Bureau EAA Farm Family of the Year and is a past recipient of the Florida Growers Association’s Grower of the Year award.
This latest hall of fame accomplishment comes as no surprise to Hopkins. “I tell my son, ‘Some people are really smart. There are other people that work really hard. Your granddad happens to be both,’” concludes Hopkins.