Larson Dairy, Inc

Jacob Larson, Larson Dairy Barn #5, Okeechobee

Jacob Larson and his family own and operate Barn #5 of Larson Dairy, Inc. in Okeechobee, Florida. The farm has been in the family for 30 years and was started by his grandfather “Red” Larson, in the 1980’s. They proudly produce dairy and cattle. Mr. Larson has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm for decades. BMPs are a set of guidelines that advise producers on how to manage the water, nutrient, and pesticides they are using to reduce agriculture’s impact on the state’s natural resources. Larson Dairy, Inc. Barn #5 has installed culverts throughout the land to settle water which can reduce offsite discharge and the potential for erosion. In addition, Mr. Larson has water retention ponds that capture stormwater and minimize movement of pollutants and nutrients to percolate into the groundwater.

Mr. Larson is actively involved in his local community, serving as a former president for the Okeechobee Farm Bureau and the Okeechobee Area Agri-Council. He also serves on the board of the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association and serves as a state director of Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Mr. Larson and his family attend the First Baptist Church in Okeechobee, where he is a member and an usher. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, Larson responded, “God has blessed us with the land and it is our duty to protect and be good stewards of what God has given us to produce for the future.”