Interview with James A. Jackson, Jr., December 30, 1991

Interview Summary

Dr. James A. Jackson, Jr. was raised on his father's dairy farm near Pembroke, Kentucky, in Christian County. He discusses the process by which his father, an African American, successfully developed a dairy farm enterprise. He states that his father started his enterprise as a sharecropper, with limited assets and little education. He tells how he worked hard and made extensive use of extension and partnerships with other farmers. He also talks about the role of education in his and his siblings' successes. He received his Ph.D from the University of Kentucky. He discusses his education, which started in the segregated schools in Christian County. He shares his experiences of being a member of the first racially integrated class in his high school and discusses race relations between African Americans and whites. He also addresses technical issues related to farming, such as changes in milking technology related to changing regulations and marketing requirements. He also talks about the gender division of labor, as expressed in the household and in farm work.

Interview Keyword

African American farming experience Black farmers Dairy farming Farming enterprise development Fayette County (Ky.) Gender division of labors Heritage farms Milking technology Race relations Segregated schools Social mobility Dr. James A. Jackson, Jr.

Interview LC Subject

African American farmers African Americans Agriculture--Kentucky Agriculture Education Education, Higher Family farms University of Kentucky

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Interview Usage

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