Long-time farmer again claims watermelon title

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Second place winner (center) was Bob Owen of New Boston and third place went to Kent Stacks of Naples (left). -- Staff photos by Montgomery

August 7, 2003 -- Raising watermelons paid off with a repeat win for one East Texas grower at the 65th Annual Naples Watermelon Festival on July 26.

A. C. Jackson, from the Gethsemene Community (east of Naples), won first place in the largest watermelon competition with an 83-pound, Carolina-cross watermelon.

Second place went to Bob Owen of New Boston who barely edged the third place winner, Kent Stacks of Naples, by one pound. Owen's watermelon weighed 77 pounds and Stacks weighed 76 pounds.

Jackson, who was defending his first-place title from last year, told the crowd, "The scales are wrong. Pick up that watermelon; it has to weigh close to 100 pounds."

But, it didn't matter whether the mega-melon weighed 100 pounds or 83, it still was the largest watermelon at the competition.

"Boy, this is fun," Jackson remarked.

All of the melons entered into the event where later auctioned and the prize winning melon bought $23. Jackson also had another melon, which weighed in at 63 pounds, bring $11 in the auction.

Jackson said he knows people will be growing melons to try and beat him again next year, but he'll be ready.

When this year's festival and competition were over, the 59-year-old was back in the patch before sundown.

"There's peas to pick, watermelons to pick, and cantaloupe," he said.

A.C. Jackson studies a purple-hulled pea as he discusses the past, and future, of farming. Jackson grows several fruits and vegetables, including watermelon. This year, his 83-pound watermleonclaimed the 'largest watermelon' title at the Naple festival. -- Staff photos by Montgomery

Farming has been a way of life for Jackson, who had his first crop at 13.

"Dad was a cotton farmer. He had 50 to 60 acres of cotton. Us kids helped with the farming. There is one thing about farming, you got to have experience," he added.

"I can remember, back in the '60s, we sold peas for $1.50 a bushel, and that was good money. Now, you can sell peas for $20 a bushel."

Now, you might be thinking $20 a bushel (and in some places $30) is keen income, but as the farmer continued, "This is hard work. It's hot out here. A good farmer won't worry about the weather. Cows need to be fed and so do people.

"You know I use to have a watermelon patch right here where this peas patch is (on Farm-to-Market Road 2888). I didn't worry about people stealing watermelons. Most people are too lazy to get out of their car, walk to the patch, and get a melon. They want you to bring it to them."

"This is my real job. I do this because I love it," Jackson said about farming. But because there's not great profits in farming, Jackson has worked at Red River Army Depot, outside of Hooks, for 38 years. There's not enough money in farming and with two kids to send to college, Jackson said he "had to do something."

When asked about young people today, Jackson said, it would be tough for a person in their 20s or 30s to become just a farmer.

"The downfall in farming is too much overhead. You've got to have a tractor, discs, fertilizer, seeds. You can't be a successful farmer with just a hoe."

The champion watermelon grower said the key for his success is fertilize. "You've got to fertilize. Now, the Extension agent will tell you to do a soil test. But, we are just out here to have fun. I was raised right down there where that house sits, and I know what this land needs, without a soil test."

Testing or not, Jackson is reaping the rewards of his labor.

With parting words, Jackson concluded, "As long as I am able, I will farm. There is no better life," and with over 200 total acres, Jackson has plenty of room to grow.